PLECO?
At some point, fish exporters started attributing the pleco name to other Loricariids. Since plecos were so popular this makes perfect sense because the exporters had to call the fish something that importers would associate with a popular fish and buy. The name stuck and so all Loricariids are now called plecos even though there is only currently one single fish that is correctly a pleco, Hypostomus plecostomus. In fact, pleco is now more widely used by hobbyists than Loricariid - the proper name.
THE L NUMBER
The "L Number" system began when two German magazines began featuring newly discovered Loricariids in their magazines. Since these species were not yet described to science, the magazines began assigning them "L numbers". The German magazine "DATZ" (Die Aquarien und Terrarienzeitschrift) started with the designation L1 for the Loricariid which has now been described as Glyptopterichthys joselimaianus. So now L1 is retired. Another German magazine "Das Aquarium", also began to run a similar feature in its magazine and labeled the fishes as LDA followed by a number. At the time of writing, the DATZ L system is somewhere above L370 and the LDA system is above LDA 70 - neither show signs of slowing. This numbering system has caught on and new species of Corydoras are now being assigned "C Numbers".
GENERAL
Most “plecos” need a very good filtration due to them producing a lot of waste, they need lots of hiding places, and also a well oxygenated tank. Some also need a decent current (or are at least happier with). Also sandy or small pea-shaped gravel with groups of rounded stones are a good bottom substrate, nothing sharp. The majority of plecos are not good algae removers, so be careful if selecting simply for this affect.
BASIC WATER PARAMETERS
These are the basic water parameters, unless otherwise posted.
pH: 6.5-7.2
Temperature: 72-80dF
REFERENCES
Aqualog: All the L numbers
www.planetcatfish.com
At some point, fish exporters started attributing the pleco name to other Loricariids. Since plecos were so popular this makes perfect sense because the exporters had to call the fish something that importers would associate with a popular fish and buy. The name stuck and so all Loricariids are now called plecos even though there is only currently one single fish that is correctly a pleco, Hypostomus plecostomus. In fact, pleco is now more widely used by hobbyists than Loricariid - the proper name.
THE L NUMBER
The "L Number" system began when two German magazines began featuring newly discovered Loricariids in their magazines. Since these species were not yet described to science, the magazines began assigning them "L numbers". The German magazine "DATZ" (Die Aquarien und Terrarienzeitschrift) started with the designation L1 for the Loricariid which has now been described as Glyptopterichthys joselimaianus. So now L1 is retired. Another German magazine "Das Aquarium", also began to run a similar feature in its magazine and labeled the fishes as LDA followed by a number. At the time of writing, the DATZ L system is somewhere above L370 and the LDA system is above LDA 70 - neither show signs of slowing. This numbering system has caught on and new species of Corydoras are now being assigned "C Numbers".
GENERAL
Most “plecos” need a very good filtration due to them producing a lot of waste, they need lots of hiding places, and also a well oxygenated tank. Some also need a decent current (or are at least happier with). Also sandy or small pea-shaped gravel with groups of rounded stones are a good bottom substrate, nothing sharp. The majority of plecos are not good algae removers, so be careful if selecting simply for this affect.
BASIC WATER PARAMETERS
These are the basic water parameters, unless otherwise posted.
pH: 6.5-7.2
Temperature: 72-80dF
REFERENCES
Aqualog: All the L numbers
www.planetcatfish.com
