Pleco L numbers
- Thread starter AquariumBoiler
- Start date
L stands for Loricariidae, the family of Suckermouth Catfish in which plecos are taxonomically classified by scientist. Soulfish has it right, so many new types of Loricarridae are being found faster than they can be studied and classified by scientific genus species names.
Also, many plecos are given absurd common names that are used by laypeople in the aquarium trade. Different species are given the same common name because only a truely discriminating eye can tell them apart. That's why you'll find, for example, Gold Nugget Plecos carry several different L-numbers. Genus species is the most accurate classification, L-numbers the second, common names the last.
~~Colesea
Also, many plecos are given absurd common names that are used by laypeople in the aquarium trade. Different species are given the same common name because only a truely discriminating eye can tell them apart. That's why you'll find, for example, Gold Nugget Plecos carry several different L-numbers. Genus species is the most accurate classification, L-numbers the second, common names the last.
~~Colesea
Scientific SHOULD be the most accurate if it' used properly, but it often isn't with L numbers. L is often more accurate as at least it's used conscientiously and carefully by the importers. Blue eyed panaques are invariably cassigned to the scientific name Panaque suttoni even though the type description isn't much like the fish that was uncommonly sold (see planet catfish).
Common names for these fish are an absolute wate of time though - they tell you nothing, and are pretty much made up on the spot - gold eyed spotted adonis plec for example -
Common names for these fish are an absolute wate of time though - they tell you nothing, and are pretty much made up on the spot - gold eyed spotted adonis plec for example -
They're often discovered first by commercial collectors! And as a new L number species is worth more (novelty value) it's soon sold on. There's probably a lot to come yet as people look in more and more locations.
And it's a good thing too. Brazil has an aggressive policy of building hydroelectric dams that unfortuneately won't do local water quality any good for these fish. Publicity of their existance can only help their chances of continued habitat and survival
And it's a good thing too. Brazil has an aggressive policy of building hydroelectric dams that unfortuneately won't do local water quality any good for these fish. Publicity of their existance can only help their chances of continued habitat and survival
Aye, new fish species are most often discovered faster by the person who wants to make a buck selling/breeding these fish instead of the conservationist that wants to preserve these animals in the wild. Many Brazilian natives make a living catching fish for the ornamental trade. There are whole villages dedicated to the capture of say, wild neons, for the pet traders and wildlife smugglers. Unfortunately what we pay for these fish does not transfer into what the village makes. More often than not, the villagers go hungry for commercial greed.
The same happens in the Pacific Islands too, where marine and reef fish trade support whole families and ruin entire ecosystems. But what are the governments of these countries suppose to do? Let their people starve? Sometimes being a tree hugging libral hippy is to be a little too much.
~~Colesea
The same happens in the Pacific Islands too, where marine and reef fish trade support whole families and ruin entire ecosystems. But what are the governments of these countries suppose to do? Let their people starve? Sometimes being a tree hugging libral hippy is to be a little too much.
~~Colesea