PANAQUE SUTTONI

🐟 Blue-Eyed Pleco (PANAQUE  SUTTONI) — Care Guide

The Blue-Eyed Pleco, Panaque SUTTONI is a striking and uncommon species of wood-eating catfish native to fast-flowing rivers in Colombia. Known for its intense sapphire eyes and armored body, this pleco is both visually stunning and behaviorally unique. Its dietary needs and water quality requirements make it best suited for intermediate to advanced aquarists.

🌍 Natural Habitat

• Origin: Rio Magdalena and Rio Cauca river basins, Colombia

• Environment: Warm, oxygen-rich freshwater with abundant submerged driftwood and strong currents

• Substrate: Primarily rocks and wood with little plant growth due to fast flow

🏠 Tank Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons or more

• Aquascaping: Heavy use of real driftwood (essential for diet), smooth river stones, and shaded caves or hollow logs

• Substrate: Soft sand or rounded gravel to prevent mouth injury

• Lighting: Dim to moderate (they avoid strong light)

• Filtration: High-capacity filter (canister or sump); plecos are heavy waste producers

• Water Movement: Moderate to strong current preferred (powerheads optional)

💧 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)

• pH: 6.4–7.6

• Hardness: 5–15 dGH

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm — sensitive to poor water quality

• Water Changes: 25% weekly; essential due to high waste output

🍴 Diet & Feeding

Panaque  SUTTONI

is a xylivore — it consumes and digests actual wood, thanks to specialized gut microbes.

• Staple Foods:

  • Driftwood (must always be present in the tank)

  • Algae wafers or pleco-specific wood-based sinking pellets

• Supplemental Foods:

  • Blanched zucchini, sweet potato, or cucumber

  • Limited protein (e.g., bloodworms) no more than once a week — too much can cause bloat

• Feeding Frequency: Once daily in the evening (they are mostly nocturnal)

🤝 Tank Mates

• Ideal Companions:

  • Peaceful mid-to-top swimmers (tetras, rainbowfish, rasboras)

  • Dither fish that tolerate warm, flowing water

• Avoid:

  • Other large plecos (territorial disputes)

  • Aggressive cichlids

  • Fish that compete for bottom space or food

⚠️ Special Notes

• Wood Is Mandatory: This species will fail to thrive without constant access to real, consumable driftwood.

• High Waste: Expect large amounts of detritus — robust filtration and regular vacuuming are a must.

• Not for Beginners: Due to its diet, water quality needs, and tank size, this fish is best suited for aquarists with experience in maintaining sensitive or large tropical species.

🧬 Breeding

• Captive Breeding: No confirmed breeding reports in aquariums. Likely cave spawners in the wild.

• Sexing: Extremely difficult; males may have slightly longer odontodes (dermal spines), but visual dimorphism is minimal.

📌 Quick Facts Recap