I never even heard of this L number. I already got 2 L397s so I figured why not use my 10 percent off discount I got from the last review and buy one of these little beauties. They look just like the one in the picture. If your like me, you went and googled this fish after seeing it on Joe's for sale. And ones in "images" look quite different than the one in the sales photo. So I was a little worried. But all is well. The one I got was bout half the size of the one in the photo. But otherwise identical. And they grow quick. I personally like getting plecos as juvies. They seem to adjust easier. I also got free shipping. Not sure exactly how you get free shipping. But I ordered another 397 and this fish. And it was free shipping. I also applied my 10 percent discount. So as always it was a great deal far as I am concerned.