Vampire Pleco, L240?

[whereaminow?]

I've been watching this guy for the last three weeks at the LFS, and finally broke down and bought him.
Pretty sure he's a L240, but I'm no pleco expert.

He's about 8" long (Including tail) and I paid $60 for him (I thought was a good deal because the other LFS wanted $70 for 3").

Right now he's gobbling up pellets and bloodworms. What's good to feed a Vampire plec? I've read they prefer mostly meaty foods.

Anyway, here's all I see of him most of the time.

And here's a full body shot during a water change. His tail looks a little ragged but it's been a few days and that's clearing up.

I promise to add some better pictures when he settles in a bit more. Little bugger's out and about right now, but when I move closer with the camera, he's gone.

 

[BPags52]

Sounds like a good price for one that big, congrats!

Can't view the pics while I'm at work but I'll check them out later.

I've never had one, but I believe they prefer a protein diet, but also try to get it to eat fresh veggies (zuchini is very nutritious I hear). So far my carnivorous plecos seem to have taken a liking to zuchini (I "tricked" them by stuffing frozen krill/massivore/other protein based pellets/etc in between two slices of zuchini, pinned down by a fork, pictures of this in my "Adjustment Period? (New L264)" thread on pages 4 and 8, and a video on page 9 of the lil' guys grazing on/around the zuchini (the 'meat' stuffing was already gone at this point).

 

[whereaminow?]

Thanks, that sounds like a good suggestions. I'm going to try that soon. It's going to be fun explaining to the parents why I'm up at 11pm making my pleco a sandwich. I went through your entire thread, and I'm in love with you plecs! I want a L14 and L114 now!

Update, I'm seeing more and more of him during the day. He sticks his head out and then cruises around for a bit looking for food. His tail is healing up nicely, but he still runs and hides when the camera comes out.

 

[]v[onster_Terror]

dang that vamp plec looks hella nice... Wonder if one would go good with my CA cichlids... hmm?

 

[furcifer158]

Very nice pick up!! Congrats

 

[BPags52]

Thanks Snookn21 (MFK vendor) still has more in stock

Yeah my L114 is a hider, but is starting to come out a little more with the lights on, it won't go far from cover though. The first few days I had it I only saw it with a flash light It has started to scavenge a little more actively though, but not nearly as much as the L14, and it still spooks easy (especially when I go to get the camera, haha).

It's going to be fun explaining to the parents why I'm up at 11pm making my pleco a sandwich.

And Wingate laughed at me for calling it a sandwich...its already catching on! haha

 

[King-eL]

I have two of those L240 at around 8" as well. They like anything meat especially shrimps. My favorite pleco so far. Very active during feeding time.

 

[wingate2581]

Very nice. It should like market shrimp and I also feed my carnivores tilapia.

And Wingate laughed at me for calling it a sandwich...its already catching on! haha

 

[whereaminow?]

Thanks all!

I'd love an L14 but sadly I don't have room. This guy is living with my Jaguar cichlid growout, but I don't know how he'd do with adults, and I don't think I'm going to try. He's eventually going to go live with my EBJD, who's pretty mellow.

I'm going to try offering freeze dried krill tonight when I turn the lights off.

Some more pictures, still no good head shots. He's out and about as I type this, but he runs from the camera.

aaaaand, here's how he looks 90% of the time.

Quick question, do Vampire plecos need wood to chew on?

 

[BPags52]

Just saw the pics...I want one very nice.