So you think you own L-144, think again.

[TwoTankAmin]

On and off for a while I have been following the story on L-144s as it unfolded over on planetcatfish.com. I know how confusing the world of L numbers can be, especially the identification part. Well it seems as if the opinion over there has settled out and here is the current info posted on the L-144 Data Sheet.

Under General Remarks:

L144 is rare. The fish sold as L144 is a different form, most likely based on Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus (http://www.planetcatfish.com/ancistrus_cf_cirrhosus.php). This form resembling L144 can be found under as Ancistrus sp(4). The offspring of the only known import of this fish was line-bred to "fix" the colour form. All true L144 specimens are offspring from this single male. (http://www.planetcatfish.com/ancistrus_sp%284%29.php)Under Distribution:

A single male fish was imported from Paraguay.

[excuzzzeme]

So, if you can't prove lineage, that makes your L144 to be a L144 x mutt?

[Hollygirl]

I was thinking of getting a small Pleco for my 100 gallon, and I think what is confusing me is the different names given to Plecos that stay relatively small (4 to 6 inches).

I guess a better question would be if I do decide to get a Pleco, am I safe in getting something that says L144 or Bristle Nose? This way I know I'm getting the smaller variety.

[thebrandon]

and I just bought some calico and brown bristlenose, are you telling me they are impostors?

[Davy]

i still dont get it.


do the scientific names mean nothing?

[jpappy789]

As far as I know an L-number is assigned before it is officially described thus it has no Latin name at the time.

[TwoTankAmin]

What is says is that only one male 144 was ever sent out of Paraguay. It says that almost any fish sold as an L-144 is in actuality an Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus (http://www.planetcatfish.com/ancistrus_cf_cirrhosus.php) , more specifically http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=905

[thebrandon]

I think I'm ok with that

[toddnbecka]

Aside from the lack of scientific analysis on the matter, the so-called L-144 are considerably slower-growing than Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus sp(3), which makes me doubtful that they're simply another selectively bred color variant.
Does anyone know the origin of the long-finned variety of L-144, or is that as mysterious as the origin of the more common BN as well?

[pinkertd]

It's never been a secret that they are rare and that they originated from one wild caught male in Paraguay, linebred to fix the color.

[coach_z]

It's never been a secret that they are rare and that they originated from one wild caught male in Paraguay, linebred to fix the color.
well duh! everyone knows that...even my grandma! lol.[ / end sarcasm]
that is some interesting insight though.

[pinkertd]

The subject is not closed and never will be.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=30173&p=193963#p193963

And the confusion and the arguments will only continue since the only proof offered for the "real" L144 is one photo? There is no evidence or documentation that anyone actually owned the fish that Datz saw and bred it the way the story goes. There's no evidence or documentation where the commonly and globally accepted L144 that we are familiar with came from or who started it's breeding. The only breeding documents that can be found on the internet are from a famous breeder (who's fish look just like we "know" them to look: http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/shanesworld.php?article_id=310

And the common name listed on the Datz L number list for the L144 is Black-eyed yellow. Who gave it that common name in the Datz book? For that is what I am breeding....black-eyed yellows!

[toddnbecka]

So if the strain originated with a single male (possibly a rare oddball) from Paraguay, what was he bred with to fix the trait? Are the L-144's a hybrid strain of the common sp(3)? That would explain the quick development of the longfin variety, particularly of the female/s originally bred with the male were or carried the longfin genes.

[jpappy789]

My head hurts...:wall:

[TwoTankAmin]

I believe the line is "My brain hurts."
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[GEV83]

LOL that was a stupid funny video.

All L144's are mutts but there still cute. Just think of them like dogs. New breeds are always being made. In this case it was done to make more L144's. I could care less L144's are wanted by many to include myself. I got 6 and I still want more lol.

From what ive been told they have smaller and fewer spawns then other BN's and I know they grow extremely slow unlike most other BN's

[pinkertd]

Oh well, these decisions are out of our hands anyway! I will continue to breed my longfin L144's until the fish police haul me away.......:)

[Jugglo]

I like my L144's.