Care
The Papa Plec is known from the upper Rio Maraan and the middle Solimaµes stretches of the Amazon river. Here it lives in almost total darkness underneath fallen trees and wood tangles in the deep waters of the main river channels. This species grows to a substantial size and will require a spacious, mature aquarium with soft, acidic water. Provide dim lighting, a dark substrate, and an abundance of shady retreats amongst bogwood and sturdy rocky caves, ensuring all decor is secure as larger specimens can be a little clumsy at times. Unfortunately, even the most hardy plants will be eaten. The water should be very well-filtered (adult fish produce a substantial amount of waste) and a decent current should be provided by extra powerheads in order to simulate the highly-oxygenated waters that these fish originate from; they will not fare well in calmer waters. Ensure regular partial water changes are carried out to help keep nitrogenous wastes to a minimum. This species is generally peaceful, although it can be rather territorial with its own kind and similar species. More than one specimen may be kept in the same tank if it is spacious and multiple hiding places/visual barriers are provided. The Papa Plec mixes well with medium sized characins, some of the more robust Corydoras catfish species, and many rheophilic cichlids. Do not house with any nippy species on account of the beautiful elongated tail filaments, which are thought to aid in the detection of predators and its general surroundings. Two colour forms exist, a normally pigmented form and a white variant that lacks melanin, thought to be a further adaptation to life in the darkness. May also be seen on sale as the Papa Panaque.
Feeding
As all Panaque species are said to feed on wood, it is essential that the aquarium contains some bogwood. Offer a variety of different foodstuffs containing a good proportion of vegetable matter. Courgette, cucumber, lettuce, potato, pumpkin, squash, spinach, sweet potato etc should all be enthusiastically consumed, and these can be supplemented with sinking wafers/tablets, and the odd treat of meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm and chopped prawns. These fish have a very long digestive tract which is utilised in the breaking down of foods high in vegetable content, so do not offer an excessive amount of meaty foods as this will lead to health problems.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
