Gold Spotted Pleco

[Madam Macaw]

I have a Gold Spotted Pleco (L001), that was sold to me as a common pleco. What is the average price of these? I cannot find them anywhere to get an idea.

[Osiris]

Is that the pleco in your avatar on the left/

[Madam Macaw]

Originally Posted by Osiris

Is that the pleco in your avatar on the left/

Yes. And he has a wonderful personality.

[Clerk]

I wouldn't jump the gun yet. I would post several more, higher quality pictures for an accurate ID.

The one picture you do have up, still looks like a common to me. Even if it is a L-001, they still grow to large for your tank. Identify it with accuracy first, then rehome it properly, don't concern yourself with profit.

[Madam Macaw]

Originally Posted by Clerk

I wouldn't jump the gun yet. I would post several more, higher quality pictures for an accurate ID.

The one picture you do have up, still looks like a common to me. Even if it is a L-001, they still grow to large for your tank. Identify it with accuracy first, then rehome it properly, don't concern yourself with profit.

Talk about jumping the gun there bud - I am not worried about profit. I was wondering if I paid too little for him, actually.

I have looked at quite a few pictures online myself, so I am going by what I have seen also, compared to how he looks. Yes, I know I personally wouldn't keep even a 12 inch pleco in a 55 tank - some people would, I wouldn't. Hopefully, I will be able to get a bigger tank before he gets bigger than he is now. The reason being because he is one of my most favorite personalities in the tank. If not, he will be given to a wonderful LFS that I have gone to. But thanks for your concern.

[GoodMike]

L001 are sometimes sold as commons, there are several species that are called "common" plecos. L001 are a species of sailfin pleco that stay smaller, but with that said they still get a foot long. they are typically cheap, so dont worry you didnt pay to little.

btw, count the dorsal rays on the pleco, if it has more than 10 (8 being the number for most of they hypostomus plecos) then it probably is a L001

[Madam Macaw]

Originally Posted by GoodMike

L001 are sometimes sold as commons, there are several species that are called "common" plecos. L001 are a species of sailfin pleco that stay smaller, but with that said they still get a foot long. they are typically cheap, so dont worry you didnt pay to little.

Thanks. I did read that yesterday - about 3 or four different kinds sold as commons - with a fast difference in adult size (12-inches to 22-inches). And mine was sold to me for a 10-gallon tank. If I hadn't started doing research and found a couple of good forums to join, I would have never known and probably stunted his growth in that 10-gallon. Though now I have to get something even bigger if I want to keep him.

I am actually thinking of having my husband put in a huge tank when we renovated the downstairs of the house. Yeah, I think I am already addicted! They are just so calming and peaceful to watch.

[GoodMike]

they make alot of waste, and grow fast. if you want to keep this fish, you need to upgrade quickly. a ten gallon cannot adequately sustain its life very long

[Madam Macaw]

Originally Posted by GoodMike

they make alot of waste, and grow fast. if you want to keep this fish, you need to upgrade quickly. a ten gallon cannot adequately sustain its life very long

Read my signature to see how it is housed. It was bought for 10 gallon tank - before I knew better and just followed the advice from the LFS (not the one I frequent now). I have since, bought and set up a 55 gallon where he currently resides.

I missed your suggestion on counting his dorsal rays. I will do that when I feed the fish shortly. Thanks for that tip!