What kind of pleco is this?

[theviper06]

This is a plecostomus I purchased a few days ago and I am wanting to make sure I bought what I was told it was.

Can someone give me the name of this plecostomus?

[MatsP]

Picture isn't very sharp, but I'd say

Panaque sp(L204)

.

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Mats

[Birger]

Panaque sp(l204)

[2wheelsx2]

That certainly looks like the L204's I have.

[corybrummie2010]

I agree with the others.That is definitely a L204 and a striking looking fish

[MatsP]

I agree with the others.That is definitely a L204 and a striking looking fish

I suspect the striking-ness is related to it's size - I'd guess this is a fairly small specimen, around 1.5-2". They go a little bit less colourful when they grow up, but still a very nice fish indeed.

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Mats

[theviper06]

Thanks a lot for the replies guys! I bought it as a Emperor Pleco and that seems to be one of the names given to the L204.

Just another quick question... what is the price range for these guys?

[MatsP]

Fish price is VERY variable - I'd expect to find this fish locally for about £20-40, depending on size. But a place like Pier Aquatics in Wigan (200+ miles away) would probably be about £15-25. That translates to anywhere between US $20-60. Part of the difference in price is "geographic" (I'm near London, so I pay "London luxury prices"), and part of it depends on "business model" (Pier imports their fish directly, many of the shops local to me go via a wholesaler that imports on a slightly larger scale).

I have no idea what fish-prices are like GENERALLY in Kentucky, so I can't say if you should expect to pay a bit more or a bit less than what I have suggested - and as you can see, there is about 3x difference between the lowest and the highest value.

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Mats

[andywoolloo]

in my town there is one same size & colour, they are calling him an "emporer" pl*co and selling him for $59

[2wheelsx2]

That's insane. I think they are in the $30 -$40 range up here.

[theviper06]

OK Thanks once again, makes me feel pretty confident in my $26 price I paid.

[andywoolloo]

That's insane. I think they are in the $30 -$40 range up here.

yup..it's called he has no competition.

[2wheelsx2]

yup..it's called he has no competition.

At those prices you can mail order a bunch of these much much cheaper. I've seen them for <$20 in some places.

[theviper06]

yup..it's called he has no competition.

At those prices you can mail order a bunch of these much much cheaper. I've seen them for <$20 in some places.

Just curious where it is you find them to buy this cheap mail order? I would love to see what else I can find there?

[andywoolloo]

i have never ordered online cause i have seen alot of return money back polices that say you either have to cut the fish in half or you have to stick a stick thru them or something. first off I do not relish opening a box with a dead fish and then the other, well.. not so much gonna do that either.

but yes i ve seen good prices on aquabid.

[2wheelsx2]

i have never ordered online cause i have seen alot of return money back polices that say you either have to cut the fish in half or you have to stick a stick thru them or something. first off I do not relish opening a box with a dead fish and then the other, well.. not so much gonna do that either.

but yes i ve seen good prices on aquabid.

I've never heard of that. Most places I know of need you to send a photo of the problem within 2 or 3 or hours of confirmed arrival. I have not yet ordered from the US, but Canadapleco.com, Canadian Aquatics and Spencer Jacks (Cichlaholic.com out of Winnipeg) are three places I'm very familiar with and have excellent prices, and will give quantity discounts.