I.D. please

[cmsbthebest]

I was looking for a pleco for my tank and about 2 weeks ago I walked into my LFS and found this guy. I didn't know what he was, but I still bought him for $10. He is about 6.5 in. I think he is a L001 or a L196 but I'm not sure, and also, was he a good deal? Thanks

 

[Kanta]

Looks like a common pleco

 

[swede]

Looks like a common pleco

+ 1

sometimes commons change in pattern slightly as they grow... but he looks common

 

[Tom LoFaro]

I agree, it looks like a common just going by coloration. The pattern is nice though, good buy

 

[cmsbthebest]

Aight Thanks, the only problem is that he SUCKS at cleaning algae and I watch him swoop up every single piece of flake food that hits the bottom, do you guys think I could try and put another more effective pleco in the tank with him?

 

[swede]

Aight Thanks, the only problem is that he SUCKS at cleaning algae and I watch him swoop up every single piece of flake food that hits the bottom, do you guys think I could try and put another more effective pleco in the tank with him?

although plecos are bottom feeders, they are not very effective at controlling algae problems. the best method for this is to reduce the algae by physically scraping it off the glass and then narrowing down the root cause. along with this, ottos are better than plecos with algae eating

 

[cmsbthebest]

Ya, I probably should scrape it off, so I'll probably do that tomorrow. I tried keeping otto's when I first started out, but they all died. Now the only store I see otto's at around me is Petsmart, and they seem to rarely have them.

 

[Ianab]

I'd say a L001 or Goldspot. The skin pattern is sorta hidden by the stress colouring, which isn't unusual if it's just been moved. They are quite closely related to some of the "Common" species, so care is pretty much the same. They are quite effective as algae eaters, and don't seem to grow quite as big as the normal Commons, up to about 12" max

Nothing rare or valuable about them, but $10 is not a rip off for a decent size fish like that.

Ian

 

[ecoli73]

plecos are pretty good at algae, its just that they poop as much as the algae they clean(and they'll need to be fed)

 

[smitty03281964]

L001