Help Please! It's an L number! After that I'm Lost!

[wickerydene]

I do not normally buy things that I do not know what they are! But these beauties caught me on a day where I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket. I have 4 in total!

I have some knowledge of Tropical fish, but once I get to L numbers etc - I start to get lost!

Sorry about the picture quality: I did my best!

Here is as much as I know - they are anywhere between 12 - 24 months old
Total Lengths: between 5.5 and 9.0 cm.
They have not really grown at all in the last 3 months.
They spend most of their day on bogwood, although don't seem particularly shy (but this could be due to the fact that they had been at the LFS for 4 months plus ....

Basically I am hoping to id these, or at least narrow it down to a couple and then look for more specific pointers to id them fully.

If you need anymore info please ask!

Thank-you in advance for your help. It is much appreciated.

[Bijn]

I'm not an expert but I think they are Panaque sp. L204 or a close related species.

[The.Dark.One]

L204?

[DutchFry]

definitely

L204

and a very nice one in the picture! They often lose the caudal filaments due to bad water conditions, but this one really is striking in its appearance! Bear in mind tho, they will get more and more black when they age. The golden lines break into dots or completely disappear over time. Nevertheless, they stay very pretty even in this condition in my opinion. I have one male L204 he is about 5 years of age, lost most of its gold but still is a handsome fellow. They gain in volume when they are fully grown, very nice species if you ask me. They feed mainly on bogwood so be sure to provide them with new pieces of wood from time to time. different kinds of wood promote growth!

also, read this for more info:

http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm. ... cle_id=307

http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworl ... sp%2C+L204

[krazyGeoff]

100% positive

L204

In addition to everything Tim said, I keep mine at 28 - 30 degrees C, and provide about 9,500 Ltr/hr of circulation in a 270 litre tank.

Cheers

Geoff

[wickerydene]

Thanks Guys - looks like I have L204

What sort of money should I have paid for these .... ???? (UK)

Is there anyway of sexing these?

Mark

[MatsP]

I'd say about £25 would be a average price, where shops can range from about £15 to £45, depending on size and where you buy it. Price of fish can vary GREATLY between one shop and another. I bought a 6" L128 a few months back for £32. I have also seen 2" L128 at a price of £55.

Sexing depends on the fish being fairly mature - any less than about 5" (total length) and you're probably going to struggle. Mature, established males will have "hair" on the back of the body, as well as longer spikes by the side of the head. Females have much less hairy body and gill-plate spikes, as well as having a bigger belly-area.

--
Mats

[JoePlec]

definate flash pleco