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What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 09 Jan 2013, 23:17
by Nitwig
I got this guy three years ago for 3 bucks. He has never gotten bigger. I like him.

Re: What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 10 Jan 2013, 00:21
by Silurus


Great find for 3 bucks.

Re: What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 10 Jan 2013, 00:42
by Nitwig
Thank You! That is definitely the guy. The pet store I got him from must have gotten him by mistake. While I didn't know what it was, I knew it was different than most plecos I have seen. I am glad that I have been able to provide for him for this time.

Re: What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 10 Jan 2013, 14:06
by nvcichlids
I second the ID.. These guys come in with a couple of different "Rubber Lip" or "Bulldog" plecos at the big retailer chains (Petsmart/Petco in my area..). Though I prefer NOT to purchase from them as I don't know the quality of the fish like I would from a breeder/importer friend, it does seem to be the best place to find the Chaetesoma sp. I will admit I have purchased a group of these from a Petsmart a year or so ago and have had good luck with them thus far.

Re: What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 02:05
by Nitwig
I didn't get mine at Petsmart but a different chain called Pet Supplies Plus. The fact that you got yours at Petsmart would indicate to me that they may be lying about all of their fish not being wild caught. Do you think they are breeding these guys in Florida?

Re: What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 10:56
by Richard B
I'm not sure if chaetastoma are commercially bred at all?

Re: What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 14:21
by nvcichlids
Richard B wrote:I'm not sure if chaetastoma are commercially bred at all?
i'd doubt it. I have not had any luck yet with my trio. THey are in a high flow tank with many hiding spots in/around rocks. I wish I could find a trigger, even had temps drop as the tank is unheated and in my storage room in the basement.

Re: What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 17:29
by sunfish
Richard B wrote:I'm not sure if chaetastoma are commercially bred at all?
I know for sure that they can be bred in captivity. But it is rather hard and also requires luck more than anything else since they can also be very territorial and you have to get the conditions just right. Plus, they are readily available in the wild and sell very cheap. So I do not think that any commercial breeder bothers with them.

Re: What is this small grey tiny dotted bargain bin pleco?

Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 17:52
by Richard B
I know they have been captive bred, I think 'grokefish' has done it. But commercially bred us something different altogether.