Cobue are pretty common IMO. I've seen local breeders sell F1 for $5 each. I guess coming from a lfs they would be more. The albinos of this species go for a lot of $$$.
Here are two shots of the tank with the new silica sand. Current tank mates are two med tetras, 8 inch pleco, 11 inch synodontis, 5 inch walmart cichlid.
The syn is the only one staying with the new fish.