I bought him as a Vampire Pleco, but I think I've also seen it as a Galaxy Pleco. Any info anyone?
ID this Pleco
- Thread starter benzjamin13
- Start date
Down where I live, Galaxy Pleco and Vampire pleco are not the same. But they do look very simlar. The Vampire pleco (as I understand it down here) is an adonis pleco. It is more elongated and has fin extentions on its tail fin. This fish commands a pretty high price among plecos, even when small. The Galaxy pleco (as per the ones I have seen) Is a little less elongate and more thick and does not get as large (actually I have never seen one as large as the vampires.). They command a high price as well but not as high as the vampire pleco.
I think that yours is a galaxy pleco. Just cause the tail is not that long and skinny.
I think that yours is a galaxy pleco. Just cause the tail is not that long and skinny.
I've NEVER seen an adonis called a "vampire"... The name "vampire" refers to members of the genus Leporacanthicus, who have tusk-like teeth. But it's not the case here.
The pictured pleco IS a vampire pleco, Leporacanthicus galaxias. According to their scientific name, these can be called "galaxy" too, although galaxy usually refers to a Pseudacanthicus species. Well, this one could be called "galaxy vampire" or something so, to avoid this kind of confusion.
Best regards.
Daniel.
Well put Daniel! To sum it up, common names are often next to dust in the wind in the world of taxonomy. How many times have we all seen hillstream loaches labeled as butterfly plecos?I've NEVER seen an adonis called a "vampire"... The name "vampire" refers to members of the genus Leporacanthicus, who have tusk-like teeth. But it's not the case here.
The pictured pleco IS a vampire pleco, Leporacanthicus galaxias. According to their scientific name, these can be called "galaxy" too, although galaxy usually refers to a Pseudacanthicus species. Well, this one could be called "galaxy vampire" or something so, to avoid this kind of confusion.
Best regards.
Daniel.
yup you have a Leporacanthicus galaxias. there are a lot of L numbers of these guys, and there are even more if you count the ones that they think are the same spp, but havent been scientifically approved as it were. how big is it? just treat it how you'd treat a pleco, and give it a lot of meaty foods like prawn and bloodworm.
Thanks Davo 
I can always count on you to know Plecos 
It's about 5" It's breathing pretty rapidly, so I worry about it. I want to buy some peat to soften the water, but all the stores I've been to are out.
I can always count on you to know Plecos It's about 5" It's breathing pretty rapidly, so I worry about it. I want to buy some peat to soften the water, but all the stores I've been to are out.
