Panaque

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Panaque
Panaque.JPG
Panaque nigrolineatus in an aquarium
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Tribe: Ancistrini
Genus: Panaque
C. H. Eigenmann & R. S. Eigenmann, 1889
Type species
Chaetostomus nigrolineatus

The genus Panaque contains a small number of small to medium-sized South American suckermouth armoured catfishes that are notable for being among the very few vertebrates that feed extensively on wood. [1] In addition, algae and aufwuchs are an important part of the diet, and they use their rasping teeth to scrape this from rocks. These fish are also popular aquarium fish, where the sound of scraping as these fish forage for food is easily audible.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Taxonomy

Scobinancistrus and Panaqolus are sometimes considered to be subgenera of this genus. [2]

Species

There are currently seven recognized species in this genus: [3]

Etymology

The name Panaque is a Latinisation of a native Venezuelan name for these fish. It is pronounced "pan ack" in Britain and Europe, but often as "pan aki" or "pan a kay" in America. The Japanese call these fish "pana koo ee".[ citation needed ]

Distribution and habitat

Panaque are found in the Magdalena River, Orinoco River, Amazon River, Essequibo River, and Lake Maracaibo drainages. [5] All Panaque come from tropical South American and inhabit fast-flowing streams and rivers. They are weak swimmers but like other armoured catfish possess a strong sucker-like mouth with which they can hold on to submerged rocks and wood.[ citation needed ]

Physical characteristics

Mouth and teeth of Panaque nigrolineatus Panaque teeth.jpg
Mouth and teeth of Panaque nigrolineatus

Like other members of the armoured catfish family (Loricariidae), all Panaque have sturdy, armoured bodies covered in toughened plates of skin called scutes. These are not scales; like all catfish, Panaque lack scales. As well their armour, these catfish have very sturdy dorsal and pectoral fin spines. They use these defensively, either to wedge themselves into cracks from which predators cannot pull them, or else to prevent large predators from swallowing them. Another characteristic typical of the armoured catfish family is an iris. Most fish are unable to regulate the amount of light that enters the eye since they have irises that cannot change size. Both male and female Panaque develop bristles, known as odontodes, on the side of head immediately before and onto the pectoral fins.[ citation needed ]

Unlike predatory catfish, these omnivorous catfish have very short barbels. These barbels can be seen in the photograph of mouth of a Panaque shown here; they are the short pointed structures on either side of a suckermouth. This sucker-like mouth allows them to attach to rocks and remain stationary with very little expenditure of energy.[ citation needed ]

Xylophagy (wood consumption and digestion)

Along with the species of the Hypostomus cochliodon group (formerly the genus Cochliodon), it has been argued that Panaque are the only fish that can eat and digest wood. [5] Possible adaptations to consuming wood include spoon-shaped, scraper-like teeth and highly angled jaws to chisel wood. [5] Researchers have also identified symbiotic gut bacteria that may allow the fish to digest the wood they consume. [6] However, others have argued that Panaque do not in fact digest wood, and in fact take up very little energy from the wood they consume and actually lose weight when fed just wood. [7] Furthermore, their digestive tracts are no different from those of related catfish and they do not hold wood particles in the gut longer than other catfish, suggesting Panaque are not physically adapted to eating wood, and are in fact detritivores much like other Loricariidae. [7] In September 2010 scientists from the US National Science Foundation claimed to have discovered a new species of wood-eating catfish in the Alto Purús National Park, Peru. [8]

In the aquarium

Several species of Panaque have become popular aquarium fish. The brightly coloured Panaque nigrolineatus is particularly popular and is known as the "royal panaque" or "royal pleco", monikers which reflect its comparative costliness and beauty over the common pleco. Royal plecos have a greyish-green base color against which thick, dark bluish-black stripes are set; their fins are edged with gold or cream, and their eyes are red. In captivity, royal plecos typically grow to around 30 centimeters in length. [9]

A second species, Panaque cochliodon, is familiar to many aquarists as the "blue-eyed pleco". Though the blue-eyed pleco was widely traded in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it is now only rarely exported from its native Colombia. [10] It is also associated with the binomina Panaque suttonorum and P. suttoni, though Panaque suttonorum is a different fish which only comes from Venezuela. Blue-eyed plecos reach a similar size to royal plecos, but because many specimens are infected with a bacterium closely related to Rickettsia , mortality immediately after import can be high. [11] However, once they have settled in and begun feeding, they are no more difficult to keep than royal plecos.[ citation needed ]

All Panaque catfish require much the same care in captivity. Panaque mainly demand a mixed diet including green algae, fresh vegetables such as carrots, courgettes, and spinach, but because they are argued to be xylophagous, many aquarists provide driftwood for them to graze upon, as well. The meaty foods enjoyed by other plecos are not required. Because they are relatively big for aquarium fish and produce an unusually large amount of waste, a high-capacity tank and filter are essential. Royal panaques tolerate a wider range of water chemistry than others—they prefer somewhat soft, slightly acid water but they will tolerate hard, alkaline water.[ citation needed ]

In terms of behavior, Panaque are peaceful and nocturnal bottom-dwellers which make good residents in community tanks. Like most of the other armored catfish, they are territorial, and groups should only be kept in very large tanks.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Ancistrus</i> Genus of fishes

Ancistrus is a genus of nocturnal freshwater fish in the family Loricariidae of order Siluriformes, native to freshwater habitats in South America and Panama. Fish of this genus are common in the aquarium trade where they are known as bushynose or bristlenose catfish. In the aquarium hobby they are often referred to as bushynose or bristlenose plecos instead, but this may lead to confusion as "pleco" usually is used for Hypostomus plecostomus and its allies and is often used as a catchall term for any loricariids remotely resembling that species.

<i>Hypostomus plecostomus</i> Species of fish

Hypostomus plecostomus, also known as the suckermouth catfish or common pleco, is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae), named for the longitudinal rows of armor-like scutes that cover the upper parts of the head and body. Although the name Hypostomus plecostomus is often used to refer to common plecostomus sold in aquarium shops, most are actually members of other genera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loricariidae</span> Largest family of catfish

Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish, with over 90 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and their suckermouths. Several genera are sold as "plecos", notably the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus, and are popular as aquarium fish.

<i>Hypostomus</i> Genus of fishes

Hypostomus is a genus of catfish in the family Loricariidae. They are native to tropical and subtropical South America. H. plecostomus is the popular freshwater aquarium fish formerly known as Plecostomus plecostomus. The taxonomic structure of the Loricariidae is still being expanded by scientists. Hypostomus is a highly species-rich and widely distributed catfish genus.

<i>Panaque nigrolineatus</i> Species of fish

Panaque nigrolineatus, the royal panaque, royal plec, or royal pleco, is an herbivorous freshwater armored catfish native to Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela where it occurs in the Orinoco and Amazon basins. It is known for being one of the few fish that digest wood. They are arable to survive for a long period of time only on a wood-diet. It maintains this xyliphagous. It grows to a length of 43.0 centimetres (16.9 in) and is a popular aquarium fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-eyed plec</span> Species of fish

The blue-eyed plec is a herbivorous freshwater armored catfish endemic to Colombia where it occurs in the Cauca and Magdalena River basins. It is distinguished from many loricariids by being dark grey to black and having bright, turquoise-coloured eyes. Like other species of the genus Panaque, P. cochliodon feeds primarily on submerged wood. Blue-eyed plecs grow to about 30 cm in length and, like other Panaque species, they are clumsy swimmers adapted to staying close the substrate, using their sucker-like mouths to hold on to submerged rocks and wood.

<i>Acanthicus</i> Genus of fishes

Acanthicus is a genus of large, South American suckermouth armored catfishes native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins, and possibly in Guyana. The name Acanthicus is derived from the Greek, akanthikos meaning thorny, spiny. Fish of this genus are known as lyre-tail plecos. These species are found in large rivers, primarily in areas with a rocky bottom and a moderate or strong current.

<i>Baryancistrus</i> Genus of fishes

Baryancistrus is a genus of freshwater Loricariid catfish. They inhabit flowing sections of rivers, especially clearwater, in the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco in Brazil and Venezuela. The largest species reach up to 34 cm (13 in) in total length.

<i>Hypancistrus</i> Genus of fishes

Hypancistrus is a genus of loricariid catfish originating from the Amazon basin in South America. Unlike many of the other Loricariids, however, some Hypancistrus species are more carnivorous and enjoy meat in their diet. Hypancistrus species are popular aquarium fish, including such popular fish as the zebra pleco and Queen Arabesque pleco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loricarioidea</span> Superfamily of fishes

Loricarioidea is a superfamily of catfishes. It contains the six families Trichomycteridae, Nematogenyiidae, Callichthyidae, Scoloplacidae, Astroblepidae, and Loricariidae. Some schemes also include Amphiliidae. This superfamily, including Amphiliidae, includes about 156 genera and 1,187 species.

<i>Peckoltia</i> Genus of fishes

Peckoltia is a genus of small South American armored suckermouth catfishes. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.

<i>Hemiancistrus</i> Genus of fishes

Hemiancistrus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes. These species are native to South America. The taxonomy of this genus is complex and unclear, and major work has to be done. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypostominae</span> Subfamily of fishes

The Hypostominae are a subfamily of catfishes of the family Loricariidae. Most members are restricted to tropical and subtropical South America, but there are also several species in southern Central America. Hypostomus plecostomus, which is popular in the aquarium trade, has been introduced to several regions far from its native range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ancistrini</span> Tribe of fishes

Ancistrini is a tribe of catfishes of the family Loricariidae. Most are restricted to tropical and subtropical South America, but there are also several genus in southern Central America.

<i>Pterygoplichthys pardalis</i> Species of fish

Pterygoplichthys pardalis, the Amazon sailfin catfish, is a freshwater tropical fish in the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the common pleco or "leopard pleco" by aquarists.It can be called 豹紋翼甲鯰 in Mandarin Chinese.

<i>Panaque armbrusteri</i> Species of fish

Panaque armbrusteri is a species of fish in the South American armoured catfish family Loricariidae. This species is distributed throughout the Tapajós river, a large tributary of the Amazon River, with similar populations found in the Xingu, Araguaia, Tocantins and Aripuanã rivers, although it is uncertain whether these populations comprise the same or different species. P. armbrusteri is a large loricariid, reaching 43 cm in total length and reportedly weighing up to 1.3 kg.

Panaque schaeferi is a freshwater species of fish from the South American armoured catfish family Loricariidae. Panaque schaeferi is widely distributed throughout the upper Amazon in Peruvian and Ecuadorian rivers, and it has been observed as far down as Santarém, Brazil. Growing to at least 60 cm SL, it is one of the largest, and likely one of the heaviest species of Loricariid. It has been known in the aquarium trade since at least 1996 under various names such as 'Titanic pleco' and 'Volkswagen pleco', in addition to L203 and LDA065 under the L-number code. Juveniles are often confused with Panaque bathyphilus and erroneously called L090c.

<i>Panaque titan</i> Species of fish

Panaque titan is a species of freshwater fish from the South American armoured catfish family Loricariidae. It is known from several rivers in the Napo River basin in Ecuador, where it was perhaps first encountered in 1975, although it was not scientifically described until 2010. The species reaches at least 39.4 cm SL.

<i>Panaque suttonorum</i> Species of fish

Panaque suttonorum, commonly known as the blue-eye panaque, is a species of freshwater fish from the South American catfish family Loricariidae. It is endemic to the Maracaibo Basin in Venezuela. In the wild, the species feeds on algae and reaches 28 cm SL, although it may grow larger in captivity.

<i>Hypostomus basilisko</i> South American catfish species

Hypostomus basilisko, the basilisk pleco, is a species of armored suckermouth catfish from South America. It is endemic to the Salobra River basin, which is part of the Paraguay River basin in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil.

References

  1. ↑ "Panaque respirometry paper". Archived from the original on 2006-02-22. Retrieved 2006-01-15.
  2. ↑ Armbruster, Jon. "Panaque" . Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  3. ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). Species of Panaque in FishBase . December 2011 version.
  4. 1 2 3 Revision of Panaque (Panaque), with Descriptions of Three New Species from the Amazon Basin (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) - bioone.org Retrieved 2011-01-03
  5. 1 2 3 Chockley, Brandon R.; Armbruster, Jonathan W. (May 2002). "Panaque changae, a new species of catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from eastern Peru" (PDF). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. 13 (1): 81–90. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
  6. ↑ Nelson, J. A.; Wubah, D. A.; Whitmer, M. E.; Johnson, E. A.; Stewart, D. J. (1999). "Wood-eating catfishes of the genus Panaque: gut microflora and cellulolytic enzyme activities". Journal of Fish Biology. 54 (5): 1069–1082. Bibcode:1999JFBio..54.1069N. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.1999.tb00858.x.
  7. 1 2 German, D. P. (2009). "Inside the guts of wood-eating catfishes: can they digest wood?". Journal of Comparative Physiology B. 179 (8): 1011–1023. doi:10.1007/s00360-009-0381-1. PMC   2762535 . PMID   19562350.
  8. ↑ Govan, Fiona (2010-09-14). "Wood-eating catfish discovered in Peru". London: The Daily Telegraph, UK. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ "PlanetCatfish::Catfish of the Month::May 1999". 2007-05-22. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  10. ↑ PlanetCatfish • Frequently Asked Questions
  11. ↑ Khoo, L.; Dennis, P. M.; Lewbart, G. A. (1995). "Rickettsia-like organisms in the blue-eyed plecostomus, Panaque suttoni (Eigenmann & Eigenmann)". Journal of Fish Diseases. 18 (2): 157–164. Bibcode:1995JFDis..18..157K. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2761.1995.tb00273.x.
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