L201- Colombian Snowball

[Reindas]

Hi,

I just got home from my friendly neighborhood fish store and they had the Colombian snowball pleco. 2 inches for $70.00. Taking account that I live in puerto rico and the taxes. Is that a good price?

Also how long they grow. Some sites say it reaches 6.5 inches and others 4.5. This matters for the tank size.

Thanks

[bekateen]

Hi Reindas,

Unfortunately, the name "snowball pleco" gets applied to many different species of plecos with a black body and white spots. None of them are commonly called "Colombian snowballs" exclusively, but I see using Google search that some US sellers are offering

L201

as "Colombian snowball" plecos: Here is a post from 2017, at a very reliable pet store in the USA: https://www.wetspottropicalfish.com/fis ... e-is-here/.

I have no idea what Puerto Rican prices should be. I can tell you that 2 years ago, L201 were often available in my area of California for $20-$25 USD, but now they are selling for $40-$50 USD. If you think that $70 USD in Puerto Rico is good for a fish costing $50 in the USA, then I'd say your price is fair. Honestly, I think the $40-$50 price in the USA is too high right now, probably because of the impact of COVID-19 on shipping and other aspects of the hobby, but there's nothing we can do about that.

All that said, without pictures, it is only a guess that the fish you have in Puerto Rico are L201, as opposed to

Hypancistrus contradens

one of the

Hypancistrus inspector

types (

L102

or

L501

as examples), or any of the Baryancistrus (like

L142

) that are also sold as snowballs - but those are not Colombian.

Regards,
Eric

[Reindas]

First, I just notice I posted this on the wrong place, my bad.

Thanks for the information. Is good! After posting this I found an online store that sells them for $20.00, tank bred. The store must buy fish by lots, so shipping should not be too much. plus tax. I calculate is at 20 is $30.00 per fish. Is more than double. too much, maybe.

I have a photo of the plecos.

[bekateen]

First, I just notice I posted this on the wrong place, my bad.

No problem. I moved it to where it belongs.

Thanks for the information. Is good! After posting this I found an online store that sells them for $20.00, tank bred. The store must buy fish by lots, so shipping should not be too much. plus tax. I calculate is at 20 is $30.00 per fish. Is more than double. too much, maybe.

I have a photo of the plecos.

About $30 USD per fish for $2" fish these days is a decent price around my area. And that is true no matter which of the possible species you get.

I hope you get some.

Cheers,
Eric

[Linus_Cello]

The local fish store could be a good price if it has survived shipping and has transitioned to your local water.

In the past I ordered L14 twice, once the shipment was lost and another time DOA. At least I didn’t have to pay. Bird in the hand?

[Reindas]

Right they are here and alive. The only tank I have to place them is the 55g and is full of little tiny tetras. I read it should not be a problem, a catfish is a catfish and might eat some.

Those $30.00 are what I calculated it must cost each to the store, but they are asking $70.00. These would be my first plecos ever. I'm a little afraid of buying two and find them belly up the next day and then cry like a baby or find out they lunch on the other fishes and also cry like a baby. Plus the nagging from my wife.

[bekateen]

Plus the nagging from my wife.

As the workout gurus say, "No pain, no gain."

Cheers, Eric

[Acanthicus]

Hi,

the picture shows Hypancistrus contradens and they will definitely not eat any of your tetras, at least not as long they are alive and doing well. It is a good species to start with if you have not kept plecos before, not very demanding in terms of water conditions and no special foods required. But if you are not sure about it yet, I'd buy from the local store, where you see the exact fish before you pay for them. Buying cheap often means buying twice, especially with wild caught fish.