Amanda

I bought an albino _____ (insert name here) pleco from Petsmart. They know nothing. I have a pic in my albums, he's small right now - about 2 inches. He has 2 "horns" right under his eyes. What kind of pleco is this?

Butterfly

How about...Pterygoplichthys pardalis
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...?image_id=7872
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...?species_id=88
Carol

Amanda

Yep, that's him. Sad part is - they told me that he was a rubbernose & that he'd stay small. I had to go out & get a 55 gallon so that I can move him. The things I do for my fish!

Butterfly

been there done that
This is why I knew what he is
Carol

Attached Images

Albino P. pardalis.jpg (37.9 KB, 15 views)

Amanda

What is their maximum length?

Butterfly

The link I gave you for Planetcatfish.com says 13.8 inches and they are usually pretty accurate.
The last time I saw mine it was about 10 inches. He lives at Dinos fishhouse now
Carol

Amanda

I think he may be a chocolate pleco

Butterfly

Another common name for Pterygoplichthys pardalis.
Carol

Amanda

*shakes head*
I hate Petsmart. Enough said.

Butterfly

I understand believe me I do. We bought our albino because we were told it was an albino Rhino. We loved our Rhino(Glyptoperichthys scorphus) so much that I thought an albino one would be very cool. They are called Rhinos because of the breathing tubes.
Carol

Annadvn

I bought one of these plecos from the LFS. It was sold to me as a chocolate albino pleco and would only get to 4". Luckily he already lives in a 55gallon tank with my live bearers.

Anna

Amanda

That's EXACTLY what happened to me! I wish people wouldn't give out false information when a fishs' life is at stake.

Butterfly

I agree with you! but usually chain stores put on their tanks what is on their order sheets or their packing list and they don't know any better. I think whoever they get their fish from should hold some of the responsibility for correct information.
Carol

Amanda

Do these pics help?

Butterfly

He's so pretty! They are adorable at that size and bigger. My G. Scorphus(Rhino) and P. pardalis(chocolate albino plec etc) stayed with Dino when we moved and they go in his pond in the summer time which just makes them get bigger LOL
Carol