All fish / Loricariidae

Gnome Pleco

Panaqolus gnomus

Also known as l445, ld17, gnome panaque, dwarf panaque, gnomus pleco, spotted dwarf panaque, panaque gnomus, l-445, パナクォルス・グノムス, 小精灵皇冠豹

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A small, stocky wood-eating pleco with a brown body covered in fine dark spots and a relatively tall dorsal fin. It stays small enough for modest community tanks and is kept for its tidy size, neat pattern and calm nature.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Single or a small group with plenty of caves; males are territorial with each other

Diet

Omnivore: soft wood to rasp on, sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables such as courgette and cucumber, plus occasional frozen bloodworm

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin in Peru and Ecuador (Río Napo, Río Pastaza and Río Marañón drainages)

Breeding

A cave spawner in which the male guards the eggs and larvae inside a snug wooden or clay cave. Spawnings have been reported in home aquariums, but it is not commonly bred and needs good water quality and well-conditioned adults.

Good to know

Needs driftwood in the tank as wood forms a key part of its diet and digestion. Easily confused with other small brown Panaqolus species such as L002 and L206, which are sold under similar names.