OP~
considering how small it is you can't tell for sure.
People are spawning these and I've seen pics where the young vary in pattern from fish to fish. Some even looked sort of like this one.
I personally thinks it's a stressed out young L-114 that has a different look. After looking at some pics online.
As for rare and all that not really at least not to me.
What's the price?
I'd also ask where it's from like WC or tank bred.
It could be a hybrid from Asia if he buys from there.
There is so many possibilities.
If all you want to know is if you should dish out the coin that's entirely up to you. If it's reasonably priced and you like it go for it.
$100 together that's not bad and if Im not mistaken where you are located fish are/can be pricey and that price is about the norm for most retail fish store.
I like the look of it. If I saw it I'd probably grab it just so I can see what it turns into.
I guessing you like them and if you're happy that's really all that matters.
Oh and if it's not a l-114 and turns out to be another type of psueda you scored a good deal IMO
for the size of the pleco, the markings seem fine. When L114 are young they don't always have spots but instead wavy bars, which break up into the leopard pattern as they grow. You can even see this on L600.
I don't have pics of my L114 when they were young and had similar patterns but here's a pic of my l600 at 1"
If they wavy lines is not your concern about markings then please disregard this comment.
Hard to say what it is. I did have a large L-600 (12 inches) but he looked a spotty grenn color. Of course this fellow is small so my guess candy striped pleco?