L136B

[FIshyFace]

Hey guys! I'm new here, and I'm also new to plecos. I am planning on getting a snowball pleco soon, but the place I'm buying the pleco from says the pleco is a L136B pleco. I was looking for a snowball pleco. Is that a snowball pleco too? I know snowballs are L120 or L102 or something like that, but are they still the same fish? If they aren't, is there care similar? Can I fit them in a 40 gallon tank? Thanks everyone!

[MatsP]

There are several black plecos with white spots that are sold as "snowball pleco". The one I'd call snowball is

Baryancistrus sp(L142)

(aka LDA033).

Hypancistrus inspector

is also called Snowball Pleco.

H. inspector is pretty easy to identify as it has a black band on the edges of the dorsal and caudal fins.

Without actually seeing the fish (at least in pictures) or elsewhere knowing more about it, it's hard to say if it's suitable for your tank or not.

--
Mats

[PlecoCrazy]

In the US at least, fish with common names sell better than one's without. So if someone brings in a pleco that is black with white spots it usually get the name snowball pleco put along with it. At least he told you what it was exactly rather than just giving a common name.

Care for L136b is pretty much the same as L102/L201.

They should be able to fit in a 40 gallon just fine as long as its inhabitants, decor, and filter are compatible. You didn't give many detail to answer very thoroughly.

If you're into plecos you would consider the snowball pleco as Mats said as being the

L142

but in the US pretty much every black with white spot pleco is a snowball pleco.

Hope that helps.

[FIshyFace]

PlecoCrazy: Thanks! My inhabitants will be danios, some sort of oto or other bottom-feeder, black and white skirt tetras, and a ram or gourami. Also, I am going to get driftwood for the pleco. The filter is a 50 AquaClear.
MatsP: Once I buy/see the fish, I will post pictures (if I can figure out how lol). But thanks!

[racoll]

I'd be very surprised if they did turn out to be

L136b

. These are not common.

The more likely species would be

Baryancistrus sp(l142)

(LDA33),

Hypancistrus sp(l201)

, or

Hypancistrus contradens

.

I would stay well clear of the

Baryancistrus

, as these are very specialised in their requirements, and have a really high mortality rate.

The

Hypancistrus

would be better, but need really warm (27C+) and well oxygenated water to do well. The danios you propose to keep with them will not live long at this temperature.

It is really important to identify the fish before you buy it.

Hope this helps.

[Richard B]

It is really important to identify the fish before you buy it.

Hope this helps.

I think this is really key.

[FIshyFace]

Thanks for the replies guys! (Sorry I'm so late). Also, I haven't bought the fish yet, but the shop-owner told me it was a true snow-ball pleco and that it is an L136B. Should I buy it?

[racoll]

There's a chance your supplier is correct, but without knowing the reliability of the supplier, this is hard to say.

On my experience, I would say the supplier is probably wrong, however. This is a rare species.

If the supplier is honest, they won't mind you taking a few photos and getting a second opinion.

[FIshyFace]

Thanks racoll. I'll get some pics the next time I go.

[bsmith]

I think it would also be very helpful if you could find out where the fish came from or where they were collected.

[FIshyFace]

Will do bsmith.