Anyone know where to find one of these pleco's

[Rubik]

These look awesome - but rare plecostamus seem tricky to find here. Anyone know where you'd find one of these in Sydney (and how much you're likely pay?)

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20041111154301/www.liveaquaria.com/images/products/bigimage/lg_80694.jpg

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2103

[kevkoi]

Ancistomus sp. L75....
I've seen these around only ONCE in Sydney.... and not in a shop.

Please be aware that ALL pleco type fish are illegal imports into Australia. (in simple translation, it means if you find one, or want one, be prepared to pay big dollars.)

The commonly available plecos which are readily bred and traded in Australia are:

common bristlenose catfish
Peppermint bristlenose catfish
Orange spotted bristlenose catfish

Albino bristlenose catfish (getting more common.... $600 for a 5cm fish 6months ago!!)

(These get large)
Common Pleco
Sailfin gibbicep pleco
Gold pleco
Gold spotted pleco L001

[kalebjarrod]

why are they illegal Kev?

[kevkoi]

U would have to ask AQIS and Biosecurity Australia that question.

kev

[kalebjarrod]

? ? ? ? ?

[happydiscus]

that fish looks hardcore. if i didn't noe better id think it was a leopard

[kevkoi]

Ryan, the fresh water fish allowable import list is only about 2 sides of an A4 paper long. All pleco type catfish are not allowable imports into Australia other than a few whiptail catfish species (above a certain size and MALES only) and otocinclus (one species only!).

Bristlenose catfish (Ancistrus sp) are not allowable imports. What we have here are a result of local breeders breeding their fish which came in before the laws were enacted.

Even the common electric yellow cichlids are not on the importable list!!! All those are bred extensively locally.

Sadly the fancy plecos such as the L75 are not easy to breed (little account of any captive breeding ever happening), and many were probably discovered AFTER the Australian Laws were enacted.

That said, quite a few fancy type plecos do show up in Australia from time to time..... They miraculously just appear!! (I don't ask how they come... :wink: I just look and appreciate them.)

These fancy plecos usualy fetch anywhere from $300-$1000+ each.

[DIY]

Here's a link to the allowable import list that Kev's talking about

http://www.affa.gov.au/corporate_docs/publications/pdf/quarantine/anprog/Freshfish.pdf

At least Discus is on the list 8)

[kalebjarrod]

thanks for shareing kev :D

[Rubik]

Thanks for the hot tip. Would still be nice to find one of those little guys...