pleco id please...

[tropics007]

Hello,

I am going to do a poll with this thread too. These guys were purchased as clown plecos ( wild caught from Columbia), but I was told they could be (L-134 plecos). Either way, the color on these guys are amazing. ( size is 2-2.5").

Here is a link on what the L-134 looks like: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+837+1035&pcatid=1035

I have attatched a few pics of my plecos. The ones without flash you can see their true color.

Let me know what you think. If you believe it is neither, please post what kind you think they are.

 

[clayt101]

No way on L-134

Edit...that picture you link for L134 is wrong as well. Go to planet catfish for better pics:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=213

Edit 2: Judging by your avatar, your team is going down Sunday to the Saints...Who Dat!!!

 

[pinkertd]

Absolutely looks like a clown pleco L104 see pic below. Definitely not L134 in second pic below!

 

[tropics007]

okay. Thanks everyone. I know they are clown plecos now.

Is it true, that if you have wild caught plecos, it automatically adds value to the fish?

 

[tropics007]

The pleco in the pic that was on that site is identified as a gold banded pleco. That site did not have the proper L number with that fish. The L-134 pleco is the leopard frog pleco so no wonder why when you type in that l number they looked different. LOL!!!

The pleco in the pic on that site is a gold banded pleco. My fish look almost exactly like that one in the pic. ( same striping, coloration, pattern).

I keep trying to do research on the gold banded pleco, but only a few sites have info on them.

I paid $8 each for the wild caught plecos.

 

[tropics007]

( clown pleco)


























( gold banded pleco)


What is the difference between these 2 plecos?

In the pics you posted of the clown plecos, mine do not have that many stripes, and that much pattern on their heads.

 

[pinkertd]

That picture shown on liveaquaria.com is not an L134 leopard frog pleco.

This is what they show on the website:

Pleco (L-134) (Peckoltia vittata)

The peckoltia vittata isn't even an L134, it's an L015 pleco and doesn't look like their picture either. So they are using the wrong common name, the wrong species name, the wrong photo, and the wrong L number and selling clown plecos. Liveaquaria needs to figure out which of those 3 species it is really selling for $99.99 L134's have much different striping patterns, much wider and much bolder than what your plecos have. Just google L134, there's plenty of pictures of this pleco to show you the huge difference in coloration.

The clown pleco, P. maccus has a patterns of broken lines and dots. The base colour is dark brown, with thin, light stripes and spots. (Peckoltia vittata L015 has a light base colour with dark, wide lines.) Both clown pleco and vittata are sometimes sold under the same common name but they are not the same plecos and very different from L134. The pattern of the individual fclown pleco can vary depending on the environment and the mood of the fish. Here's 3 varying patterns on clown plecos, but all with very thin stripes and small spots, some more than others:

Take your pics over to planetcatfish.com and see what they identify it as.

Having wild caught plecos does not automatically add value to the pleco unless it is a rare pleco or one that is not allowed to be exported any longer. Wild plecos are often much harder to acclimate and get to spawn. In my opinion, F1's are a much better buy for a hardier fish.

 

[bradlgt21]

Live Aquaria I have learned is very bad with IDing anything. I used them because they were easy to use but realized there plant care, plant ID, fish ID, fish care, fish compatibility is all way off. Some they get right others they are not even close. Do not use liveaquaria for fish advice they don't know what they are talking about.

 

[pinkertd]

You can google and find some instances where the Peckoltia vittata is also called a gold banded pleco and also called a clown pleco but it is an L015 which really has a common name of Candy Stripe Pleco. The cost of wild caught clown plecos is very low right now, I don't believe they are being commercially bred.

 

[GEV83]

With all the knowledge online and you would think they would try to commercially breed a smaller pleco vs the big ones like Pardalis Gibbiceps Plecostomus and any others out there. People wouldnt need to keep returning fish due to there eventual size. But I guess its easier to breed in giant ponds on a commercial level then it is in tanks. I want to get a clown when I setup my future pleco tank.