TankBud

Blue panaque (L239)

Baryancistrus beggini

Also known as L239, Blue Fin Panaque, Blue Panaque Pleco

FreshwaterFish

Blue panaque (L239) (Baryancistrus beggini)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F
26–30°C
pH
6.0–7.4
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
115 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Rio Ventuari and upper Rio Orinoco in Venezuela and Colombia.

Overview

The blue panaque (L239) is a small, sturdy pleco for a warm tank with good current. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The blue panaque (L239) has a misleading name. Unlike the true royal plecos, it does not need driftwood to digest its food.

Caring for the blue panaque (L239)

Give the blue panaque (L239) at least 30 gal (115 L), with open rock as well as caves. It needs strong flow and high oxygen. Keep the water at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.4.

It is mainly a grazer. Feed algae and spirulina wafers and blanched vegetables, with some protein from sinking pellets and frozen foods for balance.

It is solitary and mostly peaceful, but territorial toward similar bottom dwellers. Choose its tank mates with care. It is hard to breed.

Good to know

The blue panaque (L239) was described as Baryancistrus beggini, and it sits among the gold nugget plecos rather than the true Panaque. Its body is solid blue-black to slate, sometimes with a bright fin trim. It is also sold as the blue fin panaque.

In the wild

The blue panaque (L239) comes from the upper Rio Orinoco and the Rio Ventuari in Venezuela and Colombia. It lives over granite bedrock and boulder fields in exposed, fast-flowing parts of the river. It grazes periphyton, the film of algae and microfauna coating the rocks, so its wild diet blends vegetable matter with small animals.

Common questions

What size tank does a blue panaque (L239) need?

A blue panaque (L239) needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a blue panaque (L239) need?

A blue panaque (L239) is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.4.

What does a blue panaque (L239) eat?

A blue panaque (L239) is mainly a grazer. Feed it algae and spirulina wafers and blanched vegetables, with some protein from sinking pellets and frozen foods.

How big does a blue panaque (L239) get?

An adult blue panaque (L239) reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Related species