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Blue-eyed panaque (Panaque cochliodon) — Loricariidae

Blue-eyed panaque

Panaque cochliodon
Family: Loricariidae

The Blue-eyed panaque (Panaque cochliodon) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia

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Description

The blue-eyed panaque is a large armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from the Magdalena drainage of Colombia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a sturdy, bony-plated, dark body with strikingly blue eyes and a powerful sucker mouth with spoon-shaped teeth. With these it rasps wood, partly digesting its fibres, and eats growth and algae. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives in flowing rivers. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-eyed panaque?

The Blue-eyed panaque has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Blue-eyed panaque live?

The Blue-eyed panaque lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Colombia

How big does the Blue-eyed panaque get?

The Blue-eyed panaque grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Blue-eyed panaque dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-eyed panaque is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blue-eyed panaque (Panaque cochliodon) — Loricariidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Cat, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-eyed panaque (Panaque cochliodon) — Loricariidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gianna Lopez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-eyed panaque sourced
Scientific name
Panaque cochliodon
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Panaque

More from the family Loricariidae

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