Identify a Pleco

[roulfi004]

Yesterday i bought a new fish. A 4inch pleco for US$ 2.5

I was looking for it around the internet but couldn't find solid info about its real name, its scientific name, and its profile

It looks similar to the Common Pleco, but it is black with small white dots all over it.

Although its behavior/requirements are probably going to be just like a common pleco's, i still need help identifying it. I know it's not a Bristlenose

I found many different names for similar fish:
-Is it just a "Spotted" Common pleco
-Peppermint pleco?
-Vampire pleco? (although this one has bigger spots than mine has...)

I'm at work now, I will include pictures later tonight or tomorrow at most when i'm at home

[kimmers318]

What did the LFS call it? Sometimes some common names can help get close to an ID. The big problem with plecos is that there are sooooo many species and sub species it is ridiculous. It sounds like a real pretty one though, I have seen black with little white spotted ones but they are always way more expensive than $2.50! Maybe you got lucky and a rarer pleco accidently got in a shipment and you scored a deal!
Try posting a picture for better help in ID'ing, and there is also a website called plecofanatics.com that has exactly what it says.....a bunch of pleco fanatics!!! They might be able to help more.

[Fishguy2727]

Check planetcatfish.com if you can't post a pic.

[roulfi004]

Heres its picture

Can anyone Identify it?

[cocoa_pleco]

could that just be a slight variation of a common pleco?

[roulfi004]

Hmm.... i think i'll call it Cocoa Pleco :hmm3grin2orange:

[roulfi004]

It could be just a variation, but i haven't seen many of this variation. it's 100x prettier than the caramel colored common pleco

[cocoa_pleco]

lol, there are such things as cocoa plecos, or they are called chocolate ones too. I used to have one. Theyre brown with red eyes.

[RobbieG]

How big is the dorsal fin? Some sailfin plecos are spotted like that (and cost about the same as commons)

[roulfi004]

Gold spot pleco

http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/caresheets/caresheet.php?caresheetID=94
http://www.wetpetz.com/joselim.htm


http://www.ultimatefish.com/master.shtml has it for 14.5$ in "fancy pleco" category
http://www.aquascapeonline.com/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=302 is selling juveniles for 25$ after discount

Please correct me if i got a wrong identification. But it looks like the right fish. Its gold colors will increase with age.


...oh... i'll call him CoCoa anyways! thumbs2:

[Lady Hobbs]

The Golds have a high, gold forsal fin and I don't see it here. If it was 2.50 I doubt it's more than a common pleco but doesn't it drive you nuts when the tank only says "pleco"? You don't know if it will be a monster pleco or a 5 inch one.

I hate those tanks that also say "assorted cichlids." LIKE........WHAT KIND!

[Drumachine09]

It could be a mustard spotted pleco.

[roulfi004]

The Golds have a high, gold forsal fin and I don't see it here. If it was 2.50 I doubt it's more than a common pleco but doesn't it drive you nuts when the tank only says "pleco"? You don't know if it will be a monster pleco or a 5 inch one.

I hate those tanks that also say "assorted cichlids." LIKE........WHAT KIND!

It does look awfully alot like some plecos around the net with several different nomenclatures. I found the links below to provide the closest description and pictures

I'm hoping to have got a deal there ... give me the benefit of the doubt until we have proof what type it is :P

:D