Suggestions for a medium sized plec - got a L204!

Ryan S · Post by **Ryan S** » 04 Nov 2005, 13:27

Hi,

I'd like to get some stocking suggestions on plec species for my new set-up.

I'm setting up a 300 litre S.American community tank.

Emphasis will be on Callichthyidae with a couple of pairs of dwarf cichlids, and various tetras.

So the question - which plec??

I've owned a large Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps in the past, and although I really liked him, he was more than a bit boisterous, and eventually got too big! So I would like one or 2 plecs (not necessarily of the same species)around 4-6" when fully grown.

Requirements are size/compatibility//hardiness/price - Nothing too expensive!

If they look cool all the better

Thanks for any suggestions,

Cheers,

Ryan

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 04 Nov 2005, 13:33

They've got some lovely Panaque L204 at Maidenhead Aquatics in Wheatley.

I don't know if you saw them, they were right at the top in with some discus.

They were as good as this one.....

About 6 of those would be great. They were about Â£16 I think.

Ryan S · Post by **Ryan S** » 04 Nov 2005, 13:57

I didn't see those no...but to be honest I was only really looking at there cory's etc.

I'll have a read up about them...

A brief squiz through the Cat-eLog looks like a
Peckoltia sp. may be the perfect candiates...

Owch · Post by **Owch** » 04 Nov 2005, 14:29

L333's

Fantastic fish, BUT - Â£24 a pop, on average.

Ryan S · Post by **Ryan S** » 04 Nov 2005, 14:44

Owch wrote:L333's

Fantastic fish, BUT - Â£24 a pop, on average.

Wow! - looks lovely - but there goes the fish food budget!

Also noticed this...

"Much more demanding of the aquarist if attempting to keep together with Corydoras or other ground-living fish."

Why's this then?
Cheers, Ryan

Owch · Post by **Owch** » 04 Nov 2005, 14:52

Mine did well with the corys (14 in total in a 400 litre tank)until I set them up in a river tank with just some blue tetras (180 litre tank, 6 L333's and 10 blue tetras) as my little breeding project.

In fact, they were more active when in with the corys.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 04 Nov 2005, 16:29

being from the xingu, the L333 prefers warmer water (26-31) than your average cory, which prefers much cooler water (21-25)

Corydorus sterbai for example does OK at higher temperatures though.

Owch · Post by **Owch** » 04 Nov 2005, 18:52

racoll wrote:being from the xingu, the L333 prefers warmer water (26-31) than your average cory, which prefers much cooler water (21-25)

Corydorus sterbai for example does OK at higher temperatures though.

Corydorus sterbai are the very same corys in my big tank!

Neo · Post by **Neo** » 05 Nov 2005, 12:57

The L204 GFlah Panaque is a lovely fish so is the L262 Fine Spotted Plecs, these 2 types are the only 2 i keep except for my group of L46 Zebra Plecos

Ryan S · Post by **Ryan S** » 03 Jan 2006, 15:03

Well, after a long chat with Dave at Maidenhead Aquatics in Wheatley I finally decided on a single L204 for now (thanks for the suggestions folks). After disappearing all evening under a log, then not showing this morning, I was glad to see the L204 scooting around this lunchtime when I popped home. Lovley looking fish - and (I know he's still growing and his markings may well change) the pic doesn't do him justice...

I may go back and get a few brisltenoses too, as they looked pretty cool, and were cheap! Or...
I've always fancied a few zebra oto's...any thoughts on this species as there isn't much info on the Cat-elog???????????

Cheers,

Ryan

P.S.

Oh, I also got a single Anostomus ternetzi (I originally was after a Anostomus anostomus as I liked the red fins, but heard that they could be a bit of a bully) and so far I'm really pleased, as this seems to be a most interesting fish. He (or she) was in a tank with a few larger plain brown Ano's (which I can't seem to find the species name of now- maybe Anostomus plicatus ), and they were all squabbling a bit.

He seems to have settled in after hiding under a piece of bogwood for the first evening. Quite striking markings and his swimming style is interesting too - holding his body in an 'S' shape and also moving backwards through the water - just like a giant pencilfish (which I guess is sort of what he is!) It's certainly giving the BA Tetras something to think about now...

Edit for pic link...

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/albu ... pic_id=359

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 03 Jan 2006, 18:44

HI!

@Racoll!

I think yours are no L204, but seems to be some Panaque cf albomacualus
Cheers
Yann

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 03 Jan 2006, 19:59

Yann,

That fish isn't mine, it's linked straight from the L204 page of the cat-elog, although I linked to a different picture.

The numbering of the images must have changed.

Caribou · Post by **Caribou** » 04 Jan 2006, 22:52

How big does a L204 get, I see dealers calling them a Flash Pleco. Thanks

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 05 Jan 2006, 08:22

How big does a L204 get, I see dealers calling them a Flash pl*co.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/2005_12.PHP