All fish / Loricariidae

Snow King Panaque

Panaqolus albivermis

Also known as l204, l 204, flash pleco, white worm panaque, snow king pleco, panaque l204, flash panaque, フラッシュプレコ, L204

This small wood-eating pleco has a dark body with fine white or cream worm-like lines and spots, and young fish often have orange edges on the tail. People keep it because it is one of the most striking dwarf Panaqolus and stays small enough for medium tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Single or a group in a tank with enough caves

Diet

Omnivore: wood to rasp, vegetables such as courgette and cucumber, algae wafers, plus some sinking meaty foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Peru: upper Amazon basin (Río Marañón and Ucayali drainages)

Breeding

It spawns in caves, and the male guards the eggs and larvae until they are free swimming. It has been bred in captivity, but this is not common.

Good to know

It needs driftwood in the tank as part of its diet and produces a lot of waste, so good filtration is important. Males can defend caves against other bottom dwellers.