I read someplace that its a superstition thing, that if you spell out "pleco" then your pleco will die so people spell it pl*co. No idea how that got started though.
I agree with sploke. IT was reported websites several years back that when they used the word "plecos" their plec died. Don't know if its real or not. Barbie might know more on this subject.
Huh. I never heard of that before, so I did a search.
From planetcatfish.com
"With the advent of email, the internet and particularly newsgroups, aquarists at all levels began talking about their plecos with an interesting side effect. According to online lore, an incident occurred when someone discussed their pleco in a newsgroup and the fish promptly died. The discussion group surmised there was an online curse and the pl*co superstition was born. The belief is that if your star out the "e" in pleco when you write pleco, then your beloved suckermouth will be delivered from all aquatic evils."
hmm...interesting...but since I don't believe in that superstition, I will call him "Pleco". lol. Actually, I need help IDing my 2, I got the pics but still can't find my USB to hook it up!!! Grr...
The superstitions are also quaint and a fun bit of history, IMO. I have the censor on fishaholics set to do it automatically, the same as it is at planet catfish. It's just a tradition at this point, not anything you need to throw over your shoulder or cross your fingers about .