Really, really WTB Starlight plecos, L183

[MrBrongher]

Originally Posted by Monster Fish

Check out aquabid. Saw a M/F pair for $65.

I saw that, but with the shipping it's over $100, which I may end up paying eventually, but I'd rather get 3 or more for that price.

[CodOnMyRod]

Originally Posted by MrBrongher

Well, well, another Bronxite. Nice. We should compare notes.

I was aware that these fish were on the particular side, but my tap water is on the soft side, so I wasn't too concerned; I have peat and almond leaves.

The parasite thing is a little more alarming. If possible I'll buy some post-quarantine and deworming wild caught or captive bred fish. If that isn't possible (and I haven't seen anyone selling captive bred ones presently) do you know the course of treatment? I know that Levamisole is used with some success by loach enthusiasts, is that the preferred treatment? I'm gonna start looking into it myself now (thanks for the heads up on that) but if you happen to know already that'd be a start.

And... welcome to the forum. I rather like it here.

-Matt

You are right Matt, we are blessed with very soft water here in the Bronx and it is just perfect for most plecos. W/c plecos are one fish that most of the time have to be treated for internal parasites. All w/c plecos i have acquired i have treated here during quarantine regardless if the importer already treated them. I use metro and praziquantel for internal parasites. I dont treat for anything external unless i see something that needs treatment. Metro and Prazi are very mild yet effective meds. At times they wont do the trick and then you might have to use levamisole or flubendazole. Some people use a shotgun method and use all meds at once when treating imported plecos, but this may be a bit harsh on weaker fish. The meds each treat different types of internal parasites and using a shotgun method takes care of all parasites at once.

Ruben

[acitydweller]

Matt,we have a group treking into nj and will look for you. If we find them there, can u pm me a number where u can be reached/texted to confirm. We can sort out delivery then as well. Likely can also help patrice pickup plecos from u too.

[furnfins]

Ruben is an awsome guy and certainly knows what he's talking about. I bought my super red BN's from him. What a beautiful set up and the most pristine tanks I've ever seen!
Ruben you recognized me at the GNYAS, we were there to hear Rachel talk and pick up from her. This is a very nice forum and welcome.
By the way my super reds bred not long ago!

[CodOnMyRod]

Originally Posted by furnfins

Ruben is an awsome guy and certainly knows what he's talking about. I bought my super red BN's from him. What a beautiful set up and the most pristine tanks I've ever seen!
Ruben you recognized me at the GNYAS, we were there to hear Rachel talk and pick up from her. This is a very nice forum and welcome.
By the way my super reds bred not long ago!

Thank you for the kind words Bonnie. Congrats, good to hear your super reds bred for you, soon you will have a swarm of reds in your tanks. Hopefully will see you at future GCAS meetings.

Matt if you look for these in a LFS makes sure you ask the owner if they can get them in.
This is not a common pleco and rarely ever seen in LFS. If you venture into NJ try and visit Kazimirs in Hackensack. Ask for Bob and see if they are showing up on his fish list. I have dealt with him in the past and he has had them on his fish list before, but would only bring them in to the store if preordered. Now keep in mind that lots of plecos are misidentified from the importers and what shows up on the fish list as Ancistrus dolichopterus may not be the L183. Also the intense white you see in the pics is what the fish look like as juvies, if you see adults in a LFS they may not have the intense white on the seams and the spotting. Newly imported adults will look rather drab.

Ruben

[MrBrongher]

Thanks Ruben. I never feel 100% sure about most of my fishes identification to be honest. I've never counted dorsal spines or ventral rows of scales or anything like that. Looking around it seems that L182s can look like 183s, and I saw a post somewhere of someone getting 181s, though that wasn't really that close. Are there any other lookalikes you're aware to look out for?

All I've found is that L183s have bright white spots and the 182s don't, though off course shipping stress screws that. Planet catfish says

[L183 is] the only species with one hard and nine soft dorsal rays

though I'm not sure how to check that, especially in a shop.

[CodOnMyRod]

Originally Posted by MrBrongher

Thanks Ruben. I never feel 100% sure about most of my fishes identification to be honest. I've never counted dorsal spines or ventral rows of scales or anything like that. Looking around it seems that L182s can look like 183s, and I saw a post somewhere of someone getting 181s, though that wasn't really that close. Are there any other lookalikes you're aware to look out for?

All I've found is that L183s have bright white spots and the 182s don't, though off course shipping stress screws that. Planet catfish says
though I'm not sure how to check that, especially in a shop.

Matt as juvies L 183's are unmistakable. They have the bright white/bluish seams on the fins. As adults they lose their luster but still keep the white seams on the fins but not as intense as when they are younger. There are a few other Ancistrus that are finely spotted like the 183's but do not have the whitish seams on the fins. Most of these have some white on their tails as juvies but not as intense as the 183`s. Some that I can think of are L 100, L 180, L 181, L 182, and L 213. I am sure there are others.

Ruben

[lipadj46]

snookn21 usually has them wildcaught for less than you can get elsewhere

[arbai89]

are you fixed on the 183 only?
i only checked out two stores

pet shanty
sharks hillside

none of them have it but sharks has a similiar version of a 183 probably same family but different style.
the white spots were extremely bright white but did not have the white seams on the end / fin

[MrBrongher]

I think I'm stuck on them. Others might get bigger than I want, and the 183s look stunning, don't they? Even if they fade some with age my goal is to breed them, so I'd always have babies to look at.

Of course I'm not above an impulse buy now and then, but I'm doing my best to patiently wait for 183s at a reasonableish price.

[Axelrodi202]

I imagine Absolutely Fish could get em in, but then it'd be pretty pricey.