Blue Eyed Pleco (Panaque cochliodon)

Long considered a “holy grail” fish in the aquarium hobby, the Blue Eyed Pleco or Blue Eye Panaque remains a showy and impressive fish despite becoming more readily available in recent years. Like many Panaque species, it is found in fast moving waters – specifically, the Rio Magdalena in Colombia, which was once essentially inaccessible due to guerrilla and paramilitary presence in the region, which has since declined. In the aquarium, Blue Eyed Plecos are generally hardy, although they will do best if provided with moderate to strong current and plenty of driftwood to both hide among and graze on. All Panaque species are wood eaters, and we recommend using a specialty diet like Repashy’s Morning Wood to ensure proper nutrition.