Is it me, or something else?

[PlecoCollector]

So I got two young Blue Phantoms on Saturday from Big Al's. One died that same day. He had a red mark on his side I hadn't noticed before, so I assumed he died due to the injury.
We took him back on Monday because of their guarentee, and got another one. He seemed very healthy and I checked him very extensively. He was fine all day and rather active. I came home from school today and he was fine. He and the other one were swimming around as any young pleco would.
I went to Softball practice for an hour and a half and came home to him almost dead on the gravel. I put him in a floating breeder tank so the others wouldn't pick on him, and found he'd passed about an hour later.
The first one I got is perfectly fine. He's incredibly active, has very good color, and quite the appetite.
My dad said that he thought it was just the batch of pleco at the store, and that's the only thing I can go on.

Yes, I checked my parameters (I know someone will ask that ), and I didn't find anything particulary wrong with them.
pH: 7.2
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 10-20ppm (Color was a bit hard to tell)

So, any ideas to what killed those two plecs? I feel horrible about it, and I hope that I'm not putting them in an environment that's harmful to them.

 

[Lotus]

I'm thinking the first pleco killed both of his "enemies."

 

[PlecoCollector]

That thought passed my mind too. He was smaller than both of them though and I didn't see any aggression between them, but then, I wasn't always around.

 

[Pure]

I've not found these plecs to be particularly aggressive towards each other. I'm leaning to what your dad thinks. This is one of the issues of importing wild fish and not properly QTing them.

I'm not saying you did anything wrong. I'm talking about LFSs and importers bringing in new fish and not sitting on them for a couple of weeks. You can't really blame them, they have to turn a profit and to do this they can't "sit" on fish to see if they are sick. Granted a good LFS will not sell fish that are showing signs of illness, but a lot of times the problems are internal and only time will reveal them.

I've actually seen newly imported L260 wipe out an entire fish room. The guy I get my L399s from just had a batch come in from Germany that did the same thing to all of his plec tanks. This is one of the risks of importing wild fish.

There are a few importers that do "sit" on the fish for a couple of weeks, offa the top of my head Blue from exoticefinds.com does, and his prices for the fish reflect this.

I wouldn't get another one until they get the next shipment in. See if they will give you store credit so you can wait.

 

[PlecoCollector]

Thanks Pure, I appreciate the info. You're probably right, who knows how long (or short) of a time that they've been in stock. Another store near me advises people not to buy their newer fish, which I find to be a great thing. Sadly, they don't usually carry any of the rarer breeds, just BNs, Clowns, Commons, and Albinos.
I'm going back over there after school today, and I think I'll take your advice on the store credit. Waiting for the next batch will probably be to my benefit.

Thanks again!

 

[FishGeek]

Good Luck!!

 

[PlecoCollector]

I went back to store, and they said they'd give me a fish of equal value. In one of the tanks they had some beautiful looking King Tiger Plecos and I was unable to resist
I got a really nice looking one. I'm assuming it's female for the moment, since it doesn't seem to have any spines on it. So I must ask the question: Since King Tigers are Hypancistrus, just like Zebras and Queen Arabesques, will they be okay together? I'd like put her in my 20gal, since it's designed for plecos and I'm sure she'd be happy there, but I'd hate to jeapordize the Zebras (getting them on Sunday!). Any feedback on this? What would the risk factor be (No problem, er... keep an eye on 'em, no way, etc.)?

Thanks

 

[Pure]

Is this tank a 20L? Even if it isn't you should be ok, just make sure there are way more hiding places than you think they need.

 

[fishtrap]

I've actually seen newly imported L260 wipe out an entire fish room. The guy I get my L399s from just had a batch come in from Germany that did the same thing to all of his plec tanks. This is one of the risks of importing wild fish.

I don't mean to change the subject but I, Ignoramus Maximus was wondering what is a L260, L399, and so forth?

 

[Pure]

Do you have your secret decoder ring?

 

[Pure]

just kidding they are plecos
L399 is the one you see in my avatar

 

[PlecoCollector]

Thanks again Pure! I should just label messages with your username, you always have the answer!
It's my 20 gallon, and once I get the Zebras, I think I'll add the new guy. (I'm not sure what type of Tiger he is, I'll have to post a picture later) The more caves the better, right?

 

[Pure]

With the name you gave them "king tiger" I'm left to assume they are L066. A larger Hypancistrus. They get to be a nice size but not too large. Very nice fish if I may say so myself.

Sorry I don't meant to hog the advice given from others. I just know plecos. I didn't tell our friend ignoramus why they are labeled with L numbers instead of scientific names hoping you or someone else would provide more info.

So take it away plecolady...

LOL have fun!

Edit: Yes the more caves the better

 

[PlecoCollector]

Lol, you're too kind Pure! And you never hog anything, I'm glad to know someone with so much Pleco knowledge

So to fishtrap: As far as I remember reading, the L-numbers come from when the plecs were being discovered by the dozens and there wasn't quite enough time to give them scientific names before they hit the market. I think a German magazine started it, and it stuck to the fish. So when a new pleco is found, it's given a number and then awaits a more proper name. But the numbers usually stick a little better than a hard to remember scientific title

 

[Pure]

Right*thumbsup2

The names started with a German publication called DATZ. The L numbers are given because of the amount of new species being found and the great debate about who is who and what is what. For instance the same species can be given a different L number based on where it was collected.

I other words, A fish caught in one river then found in another can have a different L number but be the same species.

Your L128 is a prime example of this, with the L200. Wile one is green and the other is dark with a hint of blue, it is believed they are 1 in the same. Another good example would be my L030, there are at least 4 other L numbers assigned to this fish.

Only after proper identification are they give scientific names, but even then the L number normally sticks. I actually prefer it. It is much easier to remember vs long scientific names that I never was very good at remembering any how. LOL

 

[fishtrap]

Ah! An interesting bit of pleco trivia. So, where might one find a current "L" cross reference list. DATZ what I'd like to know;^)

 

[PlecoCollector]

Planet Catfish has a great one: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/numbers/4.PHP

As far as I'm aware, it's nearly complete

 

[Pure]

You can order your own copy of the Datz at www.stevensimpsonbooks.com There is a united states vendor that has it online, but wants your CC info..emm no thanks. The one I linked takes paypal.

 

[go_dawgs]

I've not found these plecs to be particularly aggressive towards each other. I'm leaning to what your dad thinks. This is one of the issues of importing wild fish and not properly QTing them.

I'm not saying you did anything wrong. I'm talking about LFSs and importers bringing in new fish and not sitting on them for a couple of weeks. You can't really blame them, they have to turn a profit and to do this they can't "sit" on fish to see if they are sick. Granted a good LFS will not sell fish that are showing signs of illness, but a lot of times the problems are internal and only time will reveal them.

I've actually seen newly imported L260 wipe out an entire fish room. The guy I get my L399s from just had a batch come in from Germany that did the same thing to all of his plec tanks. This is one of the risks of importing wild fish.

There are a few importers that do "sit" on the fish for a couple of weeks, offa the top of my head Blue from exoticefinds.com does, and his prices for the fish reflect this.

I wouldn't get another one until they get the next shipment in. See if they will give you store credit so you can wait.

umm what was that site again? it didnt work when i tryed it can you five it in a link? that would be much apreciated!im looking for some shrimp does he carry those?