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Info on L-137 (rusty pl*co) needed

Posted: 04 Apr 2004, 10:56
by Fish_Tank
Hi guys, i'm new here so i'll say hi at the same time :)

I was looking at the L-137 pl*cos at my LFS today and i sudenly had a light bulb flashing above my head :lol: I"m setting up a 50g tank at the moment and plan on putting a "gold batik eel' and a rainbow shark in there so far and i was looking for a unusual algea eater. any way, to get to the point.....

Does anyone have any info on the size, special care ect. of these beautiful pl*cos? I want to make sure i can care for one properly BEFORE spending $99 ;)

thanks for your help in advance

Posted: 04 Apr 2004, 14:25
by Chrysichthys
Maximum size is about 8-10 inches (20-25cm).

They aren't difficult to care for, and can be fed as for .
They like slices of cucumber or zucchini/courgette, weighed down for easy access. Feeding pigment-enhanced flakes will bring out the red colour.

They go very pale from stress when moved, but soon recover. You should provide a hiding place, but they aren't extremely shy (or very aggressive).

Posted: 04 Apr 2004, 18:29
by Caol_ila
Hi!

Also you should consider that it will eat all plants you have and feast on wood hence produce masses of sawdust...
Also i think 100$ is a ripoff...does it have the blue eyes? If it only has brown eyes (meaning its "only" a red bruno and not L137) prices of around 5-15 euros are normal here. For true L137s prices of around 20-25 euros seem normal here...

Posted: 04 Apr 2004, 23:34
by magnum4
(meaning its "only" a red bruno and not L137)
Don't they both share the same L-number at the moment?

I think the difference should be explained in the cat-elog.

To add to the question these fish produce huge amounts of waste and can consume more food than liposarcus pardalis (common plecs) twice their size!

Posted: 04 Apr 2004, 23:43
by Caol_ila
Hi!

As the current standard for "L Numbers" would be the DATZ Spezial they note that L137, C.cochliodon and another 3XX number are often "confused" with red bruno. (although the red bruno is caught at the type location of C.cochliodon) So going by DATZ L137 is not identical with Red Bruno cauz 137 is from Tapajos and Red Bruno from Rio Paraguay drainage.

Posted: 05 Apr 2004, 12:59
by Fish_Tank
Thanks for your help guys.

Here in NZ, the price of imported fish skyrockets as the supplier has to quarantine them for 6 weeks. their price will also have to cover any losses (usually about 50% i think) the benifits are we only get healthy fish :) We are paying up to $180 for gold nugget pl*cos and zebra pl*cos can sell for $250+

I'm pretty sure they only have brown eyes. I have seen them at the lfs for several weeks and always thought they were nice. I'm setting up the 50g with some of the more rearer fish availible and i'm hoping i will have a 6' tank in a few years.

Do you think one of these will go in a 50g and be happy. I have plenty of filteration on the tank.

So fan my list of inhabatants is:

gold batik eel
rainbow shark.

I'm also considering putting a eel-tailed banjo catfish in there.

what do you think??

Posted: 06 Apr 2004, 16:38
by Chrysichthys
I think the L137 would be fine but was under the impression that Eel-tailed banjos are a brackish water fish--somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Posted: 07 Apr 2004, 11:49
by Fish_Tank
I think they are brakish but will live happily in freash water ....the same as mollies i guess