Vampire Pl*cos

Torpedo · Post by **Torpedo** » 07 Mar 2003, 22:30

I recently came across a Vampire Pl*co. He was amazing except the price was pretty steep...$45 for a 2-3" fish...that's a lot of money per inch.

I cannot find any info on these guys. Are they fairly hardy? Are they "meat-eaters" versus algae eaters? How big do they get? Are they worth the money?

I have a hard time keeping pl*cos alive to begin with. I have litteraly NO algae in my tank and it does not make too much sense to me to supplement just for the sake of supplementing.

What do you people think?

Post by **Silurus** » 07 Mar 2003, 22:49

Read this: http://forum.planetcatfish.com/viewtopic.php?t=474. This may help.

BIGblue · Post by **BIGblue** » 07 Mar 2003, 22:52

You probably didn't have any luck finding info on the fish because you were searching by common name.

Try searching under Leporacanthicus Galaxias. You can also search the Cat-eLog for info.

$45 isn't too bad of a price. I paid $30 for my Leporacanthicus Joselimai.

The fish is omnivorous. I remember this fishes teeth were discussed in this forum a while ago. If I remember correctly, it uses its teeth to actually eat the wood. I've also read that it eats shelled animals, so maybe it uses its teeth to dig out snails.

P.S. It would be nice if you listed your location in your profile. It makes it easier to answer some questions

Post by **Dinyar** » 08 Mar 2003, 00:05

Yes, about $40 at about that size is what I usually see them for sale at in NYC. Your $45 is in the ballpark. They won't touch algae. But if, as you say, you can't keep plÃ©cos alive, don't waste your money. Find a $10-20 plÃ©co you like, and climb the learning curve with it first. Maybe something like a "clown pleco", which should sell for $5-10.

Dinyar

Torpedo · Post by **Torpedo** » 08 Mar 2003, 04:50

Thanks for the info folks. Guess I better stick with a less excentric one. I don't have any wood in my tank and really don't want to introduce it right now.

And BigBlue....I did post my location in my bio...I'm from the Chicago area.

Thanks again.

noki · Post by **noki** » 10 Mar 2003, 03:39

are similar fish, but of possible different species, sold as "vampires"? or is there differences in the spots, some with many small spots, some with bigger spots? is there taxonomic confusion? its just that i've seen some variety in what is sold, usually what i see for sale is not very impressive.

i bought a 4" inch Vampire about 9 years ago fro only $20! "He" was very cool, with tiny yellowish dots on a dark brown background that could fade considerably, and he was quite armoured with little bristles. he died because i did not keep very good care of it, i keep moving it from tank to tank trying to find the perfect fit. He was quite arrogant and was very willing to defend himself. I remember for awhile when mouthbrooding female Malawi cichlids used to hang around the Vampire for protection from the males, because the Vampire had gotten the reputation to best let him sit under whatever rock he felt like.