L-330 Gold Royal Pleco

L-330 Gold Royal (Watermelon) Pleco

Royal Plecos earn their name for their beautiful gold and green color patterns and the large crown shaped body pattern. These were some of the first exotic plecos exported to the trade and so they got first dibs on this grand “common” name (pardon the oxymoron). Variations of the Royal Pleco include the L-191 Pleco, which is the same species but with less spots and more lines, hence it is referred to as the Broken Line Pleco. L-330 Watermelon Royal Plecos, also called L-27 Gold Royal, again the same species, develop rounder heads and shorter tails which provide a better display of their gold and green color pattern.

All Royal Plecos are gentle giants that grow to a stunning show quality 12 to 16 inches in the aquarium. Royal plecos are hardy scavengers and should be kept with a piece of driftwood for their home base.