Common Name: L418 Green Shampupa Royal Pleco
Scientific Name: Panaque titan
Other Names: Shampupa Pleco, Green Royal Pleco, L418 Pleco
The L418 Green Shampupa Royal Pleco is a large, wood-eating Panaque species known for its stunning greenish body coloration, strong armored plating, and characteristic pleco “royal” patterning. It has a powerful sucker mouth adapted for grazing on submerged wood, making it an essential part of its diet. This species is highly sought after for its unique appearance and role in keeping driftwood tanks clean.
Habitat and Distribution:
Native to the Marañón River in Peru, Panaque titan inhabits fast-flowing, oxygen-rich waters with abundant submerged wood and rocky structures. These rivers are part of the upper Amazon Basin and contain warm, soft, and tannin-rich waters. The species thrives in areas with strong currents, high oxygenation, and ample driftwood for shelter and feeding.
Size and Lifespan:
This species can grow to about 16-18 inches (40-45 cm) in captivity, making it one of the larger Panaque species. With proper care, it can live for 15-20 years.
Diet and Behavior:
The Green Shampupa Royal Pleco is a specialized xylivore (wood-eater). In the wild, it feeds primarily on decaying wood, biofilm, and plant matter. In captivity, it must have access to soft driftwood for digestion. Its diet should also include high-quality sinking veggie pellets, spirulina wafers, and blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, and sweet potato. It is a generally peaceful fish but can be territorial toward other large plecos, especially in confined spaces.
Breeding and Reproduction:
Breeding Panaque titan in captivity is extremely rare and largely undocumented. Like other Panaque species, they are believed to be cave spawners, with males guarding eggs laid inside driftwood cavities or rock crevices. A stable, well-structured environment with high water quality may encourage breeding behaviors, but there are few recorded successful spawns in aquariums.
Aquarium Care and Tank Requirements:
A minimum of 150 gallons is required for a single adult, with a larger tank (180+ gallons) preferred for long-term care. Their ideal tank setup includes a fine gravel or sandy substrate, large pieces of driftwood for feeding and shelter, strong filtration with high oxygenation, moderate to strong water flow to replicate river conditions, and subdued lighting to reduce stress.
Ideal Tank Mates:
The L418 Green Shampupa Royal Pleco is generally peaceful but requires robust, similarly sized tank mates. Suitable companions include Severums, Geophagus Cichlids, Datnoids, Large Barbs, Silver Dollars, and other medium to large South American fish. Avoid aggressive cichlids or highly territorial plecos unless the tank is large enough to establish separate territories.
Difficulty Level:
Advanced. Due to its large size, specialized diet, and need for strong filtration and wood supplementation, it is best suited for experienced aquarists with large tanks.
Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 76-82°F (24-28°C)
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pH: 6.5-7.5
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General Hardness (GH): 5-15 dGH
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Carbonate Hardness (KH): 3-10 dKH
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Ammonia: 0 ppm
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Nitrite: 0 ppm
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Nitrate: <20 ppm (regular water changes required)
Additional Information:
- Driftwood is essential for its digestion and should always be present in the aquarium.
- Strong filtration is required due to the amount of waste these fish produce from their wood-heavy diet.
- A large footprint tank is necessary to accommodate their size and natural grazing behavior.
The L418 Green Shampupa Royal Pleco is an extraordinary and rare Panaque species that makes an excellent addition to large, well-maintained aquariums. With the right care and setup, it can be a rewarding and visually striking fish for experienced pleco enthusiasts.
