Where do I start ?

Am very impressed with this forum - but as a real bona fide newbie who just loves all these splendid little catfish - I am struggling with these mysterious L numbers. They remind me of that old joke about the Comedians Club when the old stagers just yelled out the number of a joke and everyone (the insiders) fell about in hysterics.I grasp the theory but WHERE on earth does one start to find out in simple terms WHAT these catfish are. I have several little plecs but they have been described as "Tiger Plecs" -"Clown Plecs" "Gold Clown Plecs"etc etc and match up to many different "L" numbers. With the deepest respect where can I find out what is going on with the naming. What book or site would you grizzled old veterans recommend ? Also the pictures for each number seem to be different, is there a lot of variety in coloration ?

clarification

Just saw I am classified as an "Intermediate" breeder. Have only bred Bristles and Peppers. No way am I a real "Intermediate" unless that experience transcends "Beginner"

Hello and :welcome: to Plecoplanet...enjoy the forum, also you can change your profile statistics in your userCP at the top of forum page when you are logged in...welcome aboard. :thumbup:

Books recommended; Back To Nature 'Guide To' L-Catfishes or Aqualog All L-Numbers 2nd Edition.

Pleco Profiles Here; http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/articles.php

:welcome: and glad you found us. Yes the world of L s is a complex one indeed, however there is plenty of material to be found here to help you, if not then just post any question you might have . Cheers jk :thumbup:

hi, :welcome: and as Pirarucu said, check out the profile site, or you can post some pictures on the ID site ,if you want to know the L#'s for you plecs. Then you can zero in on their specifc needs. :hi:

Welcome aboard Pete.
You will find the books Pirarucu recommends are a brilliant resource and will help you alot, definitely worth purchasing. If you have trouble finding them i know they are available online from Age of Aquariums at a reasonable price.

Thats the book you want to look for. Fantastic it is and quite up to date and accurate.
http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=4161&catID=67

Thanks for the useful tips guys.

BTW Do you Queenslanders not have to worry about heating your tanks ?

Not in summer
Still have to use them in winter in s.e. Queensland at least but nothing compared to what it used to be like in miserable old Melbourne.

I have my heaters turned on all year round but in summer its rare to see the heating light come on.