L168...Zonancistrus pulcher

Cichlidkeeper · October 25, 2005, 10:37:19 PM

I got three and they are sweet. As far as I am concerned if it is that hard to tell the difference then I dont give a shit which I got. I do know the maccus a few tanks down in wetpetz were different (wider bars) but they were alot more expensive also.

bryce2003 · October 28, 2005, 01:09:31 PM

I'm of the same opinion as Alan in that any new pleco species we can get our hands on is a bonus.

However I have to query the bit about L168's being more expensive as the supposed L168's are already cheaper than the L104 P. Maccus so why would this change if and/or when the "real" L168's are or become availible?

I've got 2 new pleco's bought under the guise of L168 from Wetpetz (Malcolm said they came in under that number and sells them accordingly) and another P. Maccus for real cheap as well but from elsewhere (more presents from the missus). Now to my inexperienced eye they look pretty similar but a lot of pleco's look similar and it seems that even a lot of experienced fish keepers and pleco experts are having problems seperating which is which in many of the different species that are availible or not.

My query is this, regardless of whether these L168's turn out to be L104's why would it be the case that the L168's once they are worked out to be that and imported correctly end up costing more when they are already listed as being heaps cheaper than the P.Maccus L104 are at this stage? Seems ridiculous to me when the precedence has been set already in that the L168's are 1/2 the price of the L104 P.Maccus. I'm not complaining by any stretch of the imagination but it seems to me that something doesn't add up if this is the case.
Cheers,
Bryce.

dammwoman · October 29, 2005, 08:58:04 PM

I just saw another 2400 in quaranteen and they all looked to be 104s .
On day the real 168s will get here BUT they WILL cost a lot more because ther are rare.

bryce2003 · October 31, 2005, 01:06:12 PM

Okay the real L168's are rarer but as I said the precedence has been set in that L168's are half the price as L104's and with importers etc. knowing these circumstances already.

Now if even some inexperienced/experienced fishkeepers are able to pick out that these new Pleco's are L104's (it's not hard) what are the importers and experts doing? Geez I'd feel ripped off if I had bought some of these pleco's at some of the higher prices a few lfs are offering when the same fish but under a different name are being offered at under half the price in some cases.
Cheers,
Bryce.

Alan Caboolture · November 02, 2005, 12:33:00 AM

When I have paid $500 to $800 each for small plecos in the past,,,,anything under $100 is a bargain regardless.

I really can't see what the fuss is about what species it is that we got,,,,,the price is right !!!

Now that the market is open, price will be determined by supply and demand.

There is always a variation in prices in the market place,,,,,size, condition, availability at the time all play a part in the price.

Just be gratefull these fish are now available.

A real lot depends on what the O/Seas supplyer describes and invoices the animals as !!!!

The importers/buyers here don't get to look at them before they place an order. Not like going into your LFS and eyeballing your purchase then sounding off because you bought a fish that was wrongly labled and the buyer and seller didn't know.

My contention is,,,you look at a fish,,,,you look at the price,,,you buy ....You have no grounds for complaint,,,,you knew what you were buying !!!!

Alan.

bryce2003 · November 02, 2005, 04:56:59 PM

I'm not cpmplaining at all, as I have said I am of the same opinion as yourself in that any new pleco we can get our hands on is a good thing. As I plan on getting a fair few of the new 1's we are getting in now over time. I'm also aware and have no dramas with the prices being subject to availibility, size, condition etc.

It's also good to know that the fish import business is a hope and pray thing. Suprising considering that this is the computer/internet age.
Cheers,
Bryce.

dammwoman · November 03, 2005, 06:37:42 AM

Bryce why are you making comment on some thing when you know nothing about it. Wholesalers are at the mercy of the supplyers OS. Simply exporters didn't have anything like the number of 168's to fill the Aussie orders so they substituted 104's instead. A fish that they have excesses of. The real 168 WILL be $150.00 to $200.00 in the shops and IF you get 1 you will be lucky...They are that rare

PS... All the bitching on this and other forums just brings attention to AQIS that the fish may not be correct and the result would be to loose this one all together. AQIS may throw it in the 'too hard basket ' so go ahead keep shooting your self in the foot and mouthing off. I have my breeders.

likesfish · November 04, 2005, 07:08:21 PM

Let's all appreciate the wonderful opening that a new pleco has been allowed. Yep, the price is very decent considering what you would pay if you bought before the allowance. Horaah. Now, it would be an interest feature if Zebras could be brought in as L104/L162? Could you imagine if in Aqis, there were 2000 Zebs awaiting 10000 people! The price obvious would be diminished. Dreams are made of $100 Zebras. Who would then complain!!!!

dammwoman · November 05, 2005, 02:27:05 PM

Zebra Plecs are now a Protected Species so cannot be collected from wild anymore. Hence the price will always be high and probably only get higher unless someone really gets good at breeding them.
The opportunity is there however for AQIS to now loosen up a little and allow more L number catties into Aust. in the future IF there are no problems with L168's.
Obviously if they are happy with how things have gone they will give a more sympathetic ear to future requests to expand the list but if the carry on keeps up with the 168's then I'm afraid there will be no hope in the future for further expansion.
To all who love Catties..just be happy a couple more types have made it into the country as L168 and don't go and stuff the whole thing up for everyone.

bryce2003 · November 07, 2005, 03:35:35 PM

Dammwoman,
Thankyou for answering the question about the L104/L168 debate and the why's of what we are getting and here's to a lot more becoming availible. You have pm.
Cheers,
Bryce.

bryce2003 · November 07, 2005, 05:16:45 PM

I'm not complaining at all, as I have said I am of the same opinion as yourself in that any new pleco we can get our hands on is a good thing. As I plan on getting a fair few of the new 1's we are getting in now over time. I'm also aware and have no dramas with the prices being subject to availibility, size, condition etc.

I wasn't aware that the wholesale/import side of things could be as hit and miss.
Cheers,
Bryce.

funfish · November 16, 2005, 12:16:08 PM

Hi All,
I picked up my 104s from 4.5 - 6.5cm at $30 ea, and I was able to get a couple of real L168s on the weekend @ $120 ea retail.
Cheers Christian

Thanes · November 17, 2005, 12:29:09 AM

Hi.
I heard there was some l168's going to be at gc auction?does anybody know if there is going to be any at brissie auction.

Thanes.

dammwoman · November 17, 2005, 09:18:47 PM

No. I had most of the 168s at GC. but won't be taking any to Brisbane.
Doubt if anyone else has any to take either especially seeing they only sold for the reserve of $25 at GC.
Linda

Alan Caboolture · November 18, 2005, 12:34:19 AM

8O ,,,My Goodness !!!

I would have driven the 100+ks each way plus for L168's at that price !!

(And I know my L052's, L104's, and L168's etc,,,etc,,)

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L168...Zonancistrus pulcher