L128

About

Known in the trade as L128, this Venezuelan loricariid has a taxonomic identity that remains genuinely unresolved. It originates exclusively from the northern Rio Orinoco drainage and bears a remarkably close resemblance to the green phantom pleco (Hemiancistrus subviridis, L200). So close that many researchers suspect the two may simply be regional color forms of the same species rather than distinct fish. What makes this especially interesting is the geography: darker individuals of L128 come from the northernmost part of the range, and the fish grow progressively lighter in base color as you follow the river southward, right up to where the darkest form of H. subviridis takes over and follows the same lightening pattern further south. Several color forms are available depending on where specimens were collected, varying in base tone and in the distribution and size of body spots. In the aquarium it does reasonably well in a community setting, though it is territorial toward its own kind. Each individual needs a defined refuge, and expect some jostling if you keep more than one. A biotope arrangement with Orinoco characins and rheophilic cichlids suits it well. One practical note: freshly imported specimens can be fragile, so check for a rounded belly and alert eyes before buying.