Royal Pleco/Panaque; One Of The Most Amazing Fish I've Seen!

I saw this STUNNING 5-6" (12-15cm) Royal Pleco / Panaque at my local petco today and I'm IN LOVE! If only I had a 150 gallon (570 litre) for them when they become a 15-17" (38-43cm) adult

 

There is one at my lfs that must be at least 40cm, and really thick - it’s huge, it would be too big for my 220 gallon tank in my opinion…and I wonder what and how much it would eat?

 

Beautiful!, I wish there was a mini version!

 

Beautiful!, I wish there was a mini version!

Why hasn't anyone selectively bred dwarf plecos!?

There is one at my lfs that must be at least 40cm, and really thick - it’s huge, it would be too big for my 220 gallon tank in my opinion…and I wonder what and how much it would eat?

I know they're wood-eating herbivores. So LOTS of wood, zucchini, peas, etc

 

I dont think the world needs more frankenfish, sorry if that sounds rude, but there are many gorgeos smaller plecos, they are just expensive. But hey! Furata chocolate egg toys made a gorgeous model of a royal pleco, Maybe I will add it to my furuto egg discus fish!

 

You're in luck. There is a relatively miniature Royal Pleco.
Check out the Dull Eyed Royal Pleco. It has the same beautiful coloration & stripes. The only differences are the Dull Eyed Royal does not have the red eyes & does not grow nearly as large.
I've kept Dull Eyes, they are great Plecos. I think the ID # is L191.