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Scientific Name Panaque cf. cochliodon`upper magdalena`  (Steindachner, 1879)
Common Names Colombian Blue Eyed Pleco
Blue Eyed Pleco
Type Locality Upper Río Magdalena, Colombia.
Synonym(s) Chaetostomus cochliodon, Chaetostomus gibbosus, Panaque gibbosus
Pronunciation pan ah KAY. - cock lee oh don
Etymology The generic epithet "panaque" is a Venezuelan common name for this fish. The species is named after the shape of its teeth (spoon-shaped), cochli=spoon, and odon=teeth.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 278mm or 10.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification The genus Panaque is identified by the teeth, which are spoon-shaped. This means that the teeth are noticeably wider at the tip than at the base. Other loricariidae have teeth that are similar width all the way from one end to the other. A second distinguishing feature is the lack of a buccal papilla, which is a "flap of skin" on the inside of the mouth. See pictures in this PDF on Pterygoplichthys.

Up until the early 1990s, the blue eyed pleco was a fairly common sight in your LFS. Then is disappeared and much was written about this without much evidence behind it. More recently blue-eyed plecos have re-appeared on the global stage, however appear to be from the lower river and tributaries. Further details including if these populations are the same species or not are currently unclear.
Sexing Unknown.
General Remarks The Colombian blue eye panaque (which may include this upper Magdalena population) and the Venezuelan blue eye panaque are similar in gross morphology and color. Both have lunate caudal fins, a uniformly gray to black body, and blue eyes. Lujan, Hidalgo, and Stewart (2010) theorize that the two are sister species.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Cauca and Magdalena River basins.
Colombia Caribbean Rivers, Magdalena (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Colombia Caribbean Rivers, Magdalena, Cauca (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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pH 6.2 - 7.5
Temperature 20.0-24.0°C or 68-75.2°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters 4-15 dGH.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding This is a wood-eater, so some wood is needed in the diet, as well as vegetables and sparse measures of more meaty food. User data.
Furniture Natural habitat is among fallen trees and wood-tangles.
Compatibility Generally peaceful, but may defend their territory against conspecifics.
Breeding Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Anz. Akad. Wiss. Wienv. 16 (no. 18) - pp194 Lujan, Hidalgo, and Stewart (2010) Revision of Panaque with descriptions of three new species from the Amazon basin. Copeia No. 4 pg 676-704.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 7 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Apr 23 23:21 (species record created: 2001 May 04 00:00)