Just FYI for the catfish fans out there.

This large pleco was seen by Flippercon at Animal Jungle a while back. At first glance it appears to be a large Pterygoplichthys, and looks like P. gibbiceps. However, from the photo, it could be one of the many large plecos that resemble this catfish.



Then a pic of the tag was posted, revealing it to be a Megalancistrus species, M. parananus as the tag says. The L-number on the tag is L-234, and here is where the confusion begins. The catfish assigned the number of L-234 is an unidentified Megalancistrus species, known as Megalancistrus sp. L-234.

Megalancistrus parananus is assigned L-number L-113. "Parananus" refers to the River Parana, btw, the stated area of collection. Some say the two fish are possibly the same fish for reasons having to do with the area(s) of collection.



From Flipp's description of the high dorsal, it seems pretty certain that this large pleco is in fact a Megalancistrus (which means "great big ancistrus" literally) but is it L-234 or L-113?

Not that many folks outside of the catfish world will care. *lol* Both catfish grow to mega-proportions of almost two feet long and both have a very high dorsal, as do the Pterygoplichthys species, as well. In fact, the fish in the photo above used to be assigned to Pterygoplichthys at one time but has since been reassigned.

Thanks for the info Deb, i had no idea. i was just going by the tag. Shows how much the stores can tell you.

Forgive me, does that tag say $2.59 with some extra zeros, or $259.oo!? I see 2 decimal points.

Yes $259.00! Plecos can get really pricey.

well, after I came too, dusted myself off and climbed back on my chair I did have this thought. If you could get a pair to fall in love so to speak, and assuming they drop eggs like some of these cichlids and other fish I see, (I'm assuming they're egg layers) that would make for one nice payday! You know, wait for 4-5 generations, then your gen#1 will have some size and you can offer big guys and little. Of course if it was that easy someone probably would have already done it by now Good looking pleco regardless

Just for S&G's I looked them up, so far the best I've found is juvi's (1inchers) for $180 and adults (2 1/2inchers) for $250.

Highest I've seen is $400. I saw some and said hi, but they wouldn't talk to me... haha get it? ... ya.... Good luck

Hey flip I was doing some snooping and this came up. In theory (if this is actually what he bought) it only ran him $20. Unless you're on a "species specific" hunt, this could still make a nice addition and leave some lunch money in your pocket.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=473

Cancel that, they seem to be more expensive.

That said, what are the chances some of these pleco's slip through the cracks and people don't realize what they're selling? I'm thinking dude may have gotten the bargin of a lifetime now.