corroncho
Panaque cochliodon
The blue-eyed plec is a herbivorous freshwater armored catfish endemic to Colombia where it occurs in the Cauca and Magdalena River basins. It is distinguished from many loricariids by being dark grey to black and having bright, turquoise-coloured eyes.
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Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-eyed_plec
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Siluriformes
Family
Loricariidae
Genus
Panaque
corroncho belongs to the family Loricariidae, order Siluriformes, within the unknown class.
Species Profile
The blue-eyed plec is a herbivorous freshwater armored catfish endemic to Colombia where it occurs in the Cauca and Magdalena River basins. It is distinguished from many loricariids by being dark grey to black and having bright, turquoise-coloured eyes. Like other species of the genus Panaque, P. cochliodon feeds primarily on submerged wood. Blue-eyed plecs grow to about 30 cm (12 in) in length and, like other Panaque species, they are clumsy swimmers adapted to staying close the substrate, using their sucker-like mouths to hold on to submerged rocks and wood.
The corroncho faces significant pressure from habitat degradation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and water pollution in its native South American river systems. Overharvesting for the international aquarium trade has also contributed to population declines, as this species is highly sought after by collectors. Dam construction and river modification further fragment populations and alter the flow regimes essential for their survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Large rivers and tributaries of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, particularly areas with rocky substrates, fallen logs, and strong currents where they can attach and feed on algae and detritus. They prefer well-oxygenated waters with moderate to fast flow in both main river channels and smaller tributaries.
Threats
Habitat degradation from deforestation and agricultural expansion
Overharvesting for aquarium trade
Climate change affecting river flow patterns
Dam construction and river modification
Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). corroncho (Panaque cochliodon). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/corroncho