What is this Ancistrus? ID help needed

Blue · Post by **Blue** » 16 Apr 2007, 09:17

Hi everyone,
I'm an experienced pl*co keeper and breeder here in New Zealand. Last year I purchased 5 juveniles imported as A. Tamboensis, but as time moves on the lack of reticulation and hexagonal patterning infers that they were misidentified.

While they share many similar traits to common bristlenoses, they are distinctly different in many ways. For instance - clearly separated and defined spots, shorter distance between dorsal and caudal fins, and a rounder shape indicating they come from a region with swifter moving water.

That said, here are the pictures. I appreciate your help in this matter!

male

female

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 16 Apr 2007, 15:31

Colouration seems a bit off, but I still would suspect they are . The main reason for this is that you bought them as juveniles, and sp(3) is by far the most commonly captive bred species.

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Mats

husky_jim · Post by **husky_jim** » 16 Apr 2007, 17:30

I have seen similar Ancistrus from Peruvian imports but with not a valid L number or name.
Have seen them in life i don't believe that they are similar to Sp.3

Mike_Noren · Post by **Mike_Noren** » 16 Apr 2007, 19:23

I am personally 200% convinced that is NOT an sp3.

The pigmentation is wrong (sp3 has small round dots on the head growing progressively larger to the rear, ending in a complete band around the caudal peduncle, and it has staggered lines on dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins) and IMO so is the shape of the head.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » 16 Apr 2007, 23:14

LOL, thanks so far guys. As attested they're not sp3s, and I can confirm that as I've done side-by-side comparisons.

So any idea what they ARE? Could be tambos!

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 17 Apr 2007, 09:59

Sorry for the mislead - I agree, they are not.

Any idea where they come from, even a country would help a fair bit, I would think.

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Mats