Red Finned Pleco.. ?

[Vegan Peaches]

I went to the lfs today to buy a new swordtail (or two) because one of mine jumped out last night and didn't make it. While I was there, I saw a tank full of common plecos... and one had red fins 0.o I thought it was bleeding, but all the fins were uniformly reed, as are the dorsal and tail fins. I figured what the heck, it's cool looking, so I'll buy it. I get my 75 gallon tank in 27 days and counting, so I figure s/he'll be fine until then. I'm just wondering, has anyone ever seen a red finned pleco before? Is it possible that it isn't a common plec at all? I have it in a quarentine tank (5 gal, i know, it's sad) to make sure it's not a creepy disease, but it doesn't seem to be. I really like this pleco, so any info would be cool. Thanks!

 

[bshockstubb]

HOLY TOLITO!

AN AWESOME FIND! What you have found is a L024 Pleco. Known as a Flame Pleco or Red Fin Cactus Pleco. i have seen them priced from $80.00 to $150.00!!!!!!!!

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loric...udaca/125_f.php

Its a carnivore though...and should be sold back, very aggresive(can only be housed with oscars, larger fish...) that is, if its is L024

 

[bunjiweb]

I would have said it will be ok as long as you dont have lots of other bottom feeders in the tank. Just make sure there is somewhere for it to call its home, a cave formation or bogwood or something.

Just make sure you feed it well otherwise it will loose the redness in its fins. A mix of prawns and bloodworms and the odd vareity sinking tablet will be best, but im sure you could get it feeding on something simpler.

Ben

 

[Vegan Peaches]

Wow... yea, that's exactly what mine looks like. Well, I'm gettign a 75 gal, I guess I'll jsut keep him in there with some africans when he gets big enough. Is that alright? Since it's a pricey fish and I got him for 4.95, I'd rather keep him and set up a tank for him, then exchange him for two other cheaper fish (which would be just as happy in my 15gal) ^^

Thanks for the info, I'm glad I know he's a carnivore now, that could've been a costly mistake.

 

[bshockstubb]

Thats a great set-up I think...He'll grow into a beutiful fish, i would personally keep him. If you grow tired of him, dont trade him in for 2 cheaper fish more like 15...

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

oooooo nice find! good luck with him