The 'D' in L27

[Midwater]

At the LFS today, there was a juvenile - about two and a half inches - L27. Or at least, apparently, it was an L27D, with the emphasis on the D.

It had not got the royal colours yet. In fact it was pretty much all dark grey with a broad white stripe on the tail.

So what is the D? (I presume there are L27 A, B and C as well.)

Does a royal look mostly grey while young? Will it follow all the usual royal colouring and traits?

Does anyone have experience specifically with a L27D?

And importantly, will it rip up or eat the plants in a planted tank?

 

[1 2many]

L027 (a)(b)(c)(d) are geographical variations of Panaque armbrusteri. Each one has a different collection locale.
I’ve never kept L027d but I have kept other variations and they will eat plants and also driftwood.
Juveniles tend to not be as vibrantly colored as adults but not always. Dull coloration can be from stress/poor water quality. Did you take a picture for reference?

 

[Midwater]

Back at the LFS today, and the L27D seems significantly bigger after only a few days. And it looks more royal too.

But will I get it? I do like it. And I am planning a big tank, but this would change what I have in mind. There are a couple of L333 available in another LFS, I might get them instead.

Here is the L27D: