Author Topic: Identifying plecos  (Read 880 times)

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Offline dr. cichlidae

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Identifying plecos
« on: February 22, 2010, 12:27:36 AM »
I've noticed here that some or most plecos are identfied with numbers such as L100, L800 etc. can someone explain this to me so i can try to figure out exactly what types of plecos i have?

Offline SeverumLover

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Re: Identifying plecos
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2010, 12:49:55 AM »
The "L" system is a commercial system for identifying the numerous different plec species that haven't been given a scientific name yet. Hopefully the other members will be able to give you a more detailed explanation of this. To identify the Plecs though is a different matter, it can be time-consuming and I would probably mess up the situation more so I'll leave it to the other members.  ;)
« Last Edit: February 22, 2010, 12:53:46 AM by SeverumLover »
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Offline tracey

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Re: Identifying plecos
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2010, 11:53:32 PM »
The L number system is used by ichthyologists to temporarily identify species of pleco's before they are fully scientifically described.  Once a scientific designation is given to a pleco, the L number is "retired", although many species are known most commonly in the fish trade by their L number than by their scientific names.  In most cases, it's easier to type, such as L001 rather than Pteryglopichthys joselimaianus, which is quite a mouthful  ;D  Many have other common names, like L014, the Sunshine or Goldie Pleco.

IDing pleco's can be a very tricky process.  Many are similar is shape, colouration and general behaviour, and they can be extremely hard to tell apart.  If you post pics, we can give it a go.  The more commonly available species are pretty well known.

Offline SeverumLover

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Re: Identifying plecos
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2010, 01:36:09 AM »
Listen to Tracey, she'd know better than me!!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Offline dr. cichlidae

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Re: Identifying plecos
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2010, 11:15:53 AM »
It does look and sound very confusing.  none the less whenever i buy a new fish i like to study and learn as much as possible about them.  call me fanatic but on each of my tanks is an index card that has each fishes classification, species, common name, and the name we have given to each fish. along with that i also have a note pad where i record all other information such as date of purchase, health issues and dates  and all transfers from tank to tank including in and out dates from my hospital/quarantinment tank and treatments given while there. i don't know if this would be considered overboard or not but since i would  like, some day, to start a business that specializes in all areas of aquaria from sales and set up to maintnance and other services,  the more i know about it, the better. as soon as i can i will post pics of my plecos including my most recent purchase of an albino chocolate pleco.

Offline tracey

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Re: Identifying plecos
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2010, 11:52:26 AM »
A little fanaticism isn't a bad thing when it comes to buying fish  :)  I don't believe there is such a thing as too much research before you buy.

Is this your new Albino?  http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/image.php?species=pterygoplichthys+pardalis&image_id=7872

I have the regular colour morph of this species, she's my oldest fish, just gone 8 years old

Offline dr. cichlidae

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Re: Identifying plecos
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2010, 01:00:56 PM »
Right this moment i am posting from my phone which doesn't have enough memory to allow some pics and videos to be viewed. and i'm one of the 9 or 10 people in the world that doesn't own a computer. soon as i get to one i will look at your pic and post mine. assuming the little bugger comes out long enough for me to get a good pic of him.

Offline dr. cichlidae

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Re: Identifying plecos
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2010, 03:35:06 PM »
Okay i just googled pterygoplichthys pardalis and the two regular ones i have look exactly the ones i saw but the albino, while shaped the same, is one solid reddish brown (more  reddish) color with no spots what so ever. I will post a pic soon as i can.