The scientific name of the Iquitos tiger pleco is Panaque changae . The species has been proposed to be moved to a newly formed genus, Panaqolus, and you might find the name Panaqolus changae in some sources. The genus Panaqolus was erected in a 2003 spring issue of DATZ (Die Aquarien- und Terrarienzeitschrift) devoted entirely to the family Loricariidae. Before the Iquitos tiger pleco was given a scientific name, the L-number L226 was used.

The Iquitos tiger pleco can reach a length of 10 cm (almost 4 inches). The body is decorated with dark bars on the trunk and the fins are banded with light interspaces. You can se one or two dark bands on the adipose fins.

Just like all the other members of the genus Panaque, the Iquitos tiger pleco is equipped with spoon-shaped teeth that are much wider at the tip than at the base. Panaque species can also be recognized on the absence of buccal papilla. (The bucal papilla is a small flap of skin located inside the mouth of a fish.)

Geographical distribution, habitat and care

The Iquitos tiger pleco is found in the upper Amazon region in Rio Itaya, Rio Nanau and Rio Momon in Peru .

Aquarium set up and tank mates

Try to resemble the environment in the upper Amazon region of Peru when you decorate the aquarium. Use stones, caves and wood to create suitable hiding spots. Always include wood in the setup since the Iquitos tiger pleco is a wood eating species.

Breeding Iquitos tiger pleco

There are no reports of Iquitos tiger pleco breeding in aquariums.

What's in a name?

Iquitos is a city located on the Rio Amazon in the Peruvian rainforest. It is considered the most populous city in the world without any road access. If you want to travel to Iquitos , you can for instance go by boat instead. Iquitos is located 125 km (roughly 80 miles) downstream of the Rio Ucayali and Rio Marañón confluence and is surrounded by the Rio Amazon, Rio Nanay and Rio Itaya.

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