Pic request; Adult L18 vs L177

[David R]

Trying to figure out which variety to order a group of, L177 has nicer colours but L18 gets bigger. Google image results are varied and inaccurate, so does anyone have pictures of mature examples of each?

Also, how big a difference in terms of size/growth rate have you found in aquariua?

 

[mike_sema]

Not sure of total growth on L177, I think realistically you will get 7-8in out of them in the home aquarium.
A pic of one I had.



Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[David R]

Gorgeous fish, I'd really like something that gets a bit bigger than that though.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[mike_sema]

Gorgeous fish, I'd really like something that gets a bit bigger than that though.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

Look at L14 or L253 look similar but get larger, pretty active Plecos and easy to care for.
Pics for reference




Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[David R]

Thanks, but I've just sold some L14 to make way for the nuggets, and I don't think L253 is available here.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[mike_sema]

I see ,I was just giving a suggestion for ones that look similar but get larger.

Sent from my SM-G900V using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[David R]

Thanks, I should have mentioned we're fairly limited with what is available here in NZ. I love the L14 but feel like they aren't doing so well with the less-meaty diet I feed primarily for my four L190. So I've decided to move them on (plus a few other odds and ends) to make way for a group of six Baryancistrus that will (IME) fair much better with my current feeding regime and hopefully maybe some day provide a possible breeding pair. Tanks is 240x120x70cm so there is plenty of space for big bottom dwellers, and that's why I'm leaning towards the L18.

 

[David R]

ps. just had a look at your stock list on the vendor page, damn I'm jealous at what is available over there!!

 

[mike_sema]

Thanks.
I can see having an issue sourcing some plecos over there, I have a bunch of L177 jamming around one of my personal tanks. Love those guys

Sent from my SM-G900V using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[David R]

I can see having an issue sourcing some plecos over there, I have a bunch of L177 jamming around one of my personal tanks. Love those guys

Our list of allowed imports (http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/ihs/fisornic.all.pdf starts on page 21) isn't too bad in the plec department (compared to some other areas, like SA cichlids), but because it is such a nightmare to add new species it is missing a lot of the more recently available species. It's also nigh on impossible to import small orders from someone like yourself due to fixed costs per shipment for quarantine and inspections, you need to import wholesale quantities to make it worth while or suck it up and pay $500+ per fish.

How do you find the activity levels of the L177s? And aggression? My L81 is one of the most active plecs in my tank so I'm hoping the L18s (or L177s!) will be fairly similar.