🐟 Venezuelan Blue Eye Panaque – (Panaque suttonorum) – Extremely Rare & Possibly Unavailable Pleco
The Venezuelan Blue Eye Panaque (Panaque suttonorum) is a scientifically recognized species native to a remote, mountainous region of Venezuela. This pleco is known for its dark, armored body and striking blue eyes, similar in appearance to the commonly kept Blue Eye Panaque (Panaque cochliodon). However, despite its name appearing on wholesale lists, this species is not in the aquarium hobby and may have never been collected for the trade due to the extreme difficulty of accessing its habitat.
The area where P. suttonorum lives has no active ornamental fish exporters. Reaching the location would require transporting fish through miles of rivers and over mountain terrain — a journey that would be extremely costly for fishermen and possibly impossible for live fish transport. We have spoken directly with multiple exporters about this species, and none have ever heard of anyone successfully exporting it. In fact, some scientists who study the region have not seen this fish in over 20 years.
Unfortunately, the name “Venezuelan Blue Eye Panaque” is still used on wholesale orders, and many importers incorrectly use this name to make the common Blue Eye Panaque seem rarer — and to charge higher prices.
🔎 Quick Facts – Venezuelan Blue Eye Panaque (Panaque suttonorum)
💡 Important Note on Availability
📋 Venezuelan Blue Eye Panaque Overview Table
Feature | Details |
---|---|
🌍 Origin | Remote mountain rivers, Venezuela |
📏 Max Size | ~10–12 inches (estimated) |
😇 Temperament | Generally peaceful pleco |
🏠 Tank Size | N/A – Not available in the hobby |
⚗️ pH Range | N/A – Scientific data only |
🌡️ Temperature | N/A – Scientific data only |
🍽️ Diet | Presumed wood-eating herbivore (xylivore) |
🎯 Ideal For | Scientific study; not available for aquarium keeping |
✨ Highlight:
The Venezuelan Blue Eye Panaque is a scientifically described but likely unobtainable pleco — known more from research than from aquariums, with no confirmed exports in decades. Any fish sold under this name in the hobby is almost certainly a misidentified Panaque cochliodon.