Interesting plecos that wont break the bank?

[linuxrulesusa]

This came up on another site...be aware of so called panaque plague.  I will see if I can find the link.  Should not be an issue with healthy plecos from a reputable LFS.

[four_by_ken]

Probably the link that I saw that let me know there was one of these remaining at Preuss.  :-)  That caused all my impulsiveness. 

I looked over the pleco good.  Did not see any markings or anything on it.



It does have same NASTY barbs that stick out when it comes out of the water.  Pretty cool.   

[Steve]

Ken, Tony or whoever knows,I have a question I have wondered for some time now about plecos like you guys are talking about. I see all sorts of higher dollar plecos online that always have the letter & number in their names/descriptions...what do the letters&numbers signify?

[linuxrulesusa]

Ken, Tony or whoever knows,I have a question I have wondered for some time now about plecos like you guys are talking about. I see all sorts of higher dollar plecos online that always have the letter & number in their names/descriptions...what do the letters&numbers signify?

At the time they were discovered they did not have a scientific name so they were assigned L + a number.  Sometimes two are assigned the same and later found to be different, or two different numbers the same species, so it is all a bit confusing.  Mostly comes down to collection location and subtle patterning differences.  Obviously some are easier to tell apart, say a blue panaque vs something else but some are really similar.

[Steve]

Thanks linux  I've wondered for a long time.

[GrizzlysDad]

Ken, Tony or whoever knows,I have a question I have wondered for some time now about plecos like you guys are talking about. I see all sorts of higher dollar plecos online that always have the letter & number in their names/descriptions...what do the letters&numbers signify?

At the time they were discovered they did not have a scientific name so they were assigned L + a number.  Sometimes two are assigned the same and later found to be different, or two different numbers the same species, so it is all a bit confusing.  Mostly comes down to collection location and subtle patterning differences.  Obviously some are easier to tell apart, say a blue panaque vs something else but some are really similar.

Actually that is not always the case. Many times a "new" fish is found and described (with the scientific name and classification) but is not assigned an L # right away.
The "L" designation is simply the Datz method of numbering Loricarids.

[linuxrulesusa]

Ken, Tony or whoever knows,I have a question I have wondered for some time now about plecos like you guys are talking about. I see all sorts of higher dollar plecos online that always have the letter & number in their names/descriptions...what do the letters&numbers signify?

At the time they were discovered they did not have a scientific name so they were assigned L + a number.  Sometimes two are assigned the same and later found to be different, or two different numbers the same species, so it is all a bit confusing.  Mostly comes down to collection location and subtle patterning differences.  Obviously some are easier to tell apart, say a blue panaque vs something else but some are really similar.

Actually that is not always the case. Many times a "new" fish is found and described (with the scientific name and classification) but is not assigned an L # right away.
The "L" designation is simply the Datz method of numbering Loricarids.

Thanks for that correction. 

[four_by_ken]

Well, I think I am done with plecos for a little while.  Each tank has at least one... and each at least a little unique.

(1) Med albino bristlenose
(2) small albino bristlenose
(1) Rhino
(1) Spiney Monester
(1) Blue Panaque
(1) Royal


Now to get the L#s for them.  I have some of them in my phone.

[Aquaman19]

Nice Pleco!  I like the color of those too.  Nice and dark.  The panaque that is.... didn't click on the second page with the other listed plecos.  One day I will spring for a nice L397 or a few but that is when I save up a few hundred bucks.

[theoryguru]

Does anyone feed them cucumber or zucchini slices on a regular basis?

[four_by_ken]

Does anyone feed them cucumber or zucchini slices on a regular basis?

Since getting back into the hobby, we have been.  The bristlenose seem to really like cucumber.

Going to give zuchinni a shot again in all the the tanks in a couple days, maybe tonight.

I use a clip that suctions to the side of the tank.

[linuxrulesusa]

As I recall, zucchini is better because there's more 'meat' to the vegetable and less water.  But, they are slightly harder to come by than cucumbers.  Maybe I'll try growing both in my garden again this summer.