L173 or L46 or what is this Hypancistrus ID? Sex?

[Sanplec]

Hi everyone,

I've bought two L46, but i doubt the second catfish.
Can someone tell me more about this fish?
Maybe L173? And what are the sexes of both?

Fish one




Second fish

[MatsP]

I'm no expert, but to me those look like the average H. zebra to me.

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Mats

[alga]

Both look like 46's to me. The one looks a little on the beat up side though. What makes you doubt it's a 46?

[Sanplec]

I'm no expert, but to me those look like the average H. zebra to me.

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Mats

Don't H. zebra have straight lines?

[Sanplec]

Both look like 46's to me. The one looks a little on the beat up side though. What makes you doubt it's a 46?

The strange pattern

[MatsP]

I'm no expert, but to me those look like the average H. zebra to me.

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Mats

Don't H. zebra have straight lines?

Well, there is the "L098" which is a variant of H. zebra with wavy lines - it doesn't make it less H. zebra.

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Mats

[Suckermouth]

H. zebra don't all have straight lines. Unfortunately I have no clue just how variable H. zebra can be, but this is well within their variation. These are H. zebra.

[alga]

"The strange pattern" is not all that strange. Is a Giraffe with a funny pattern not a Giraffe? I have L-46 with funny patterns due to genetics or a fight...I even have a male with a "lyretail" because of a fight that never "healed"...still L-46.

[MatsP]

And it looks like you have a pair, second fish is almost certainly female, and I think the first one is male.

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Mats

[catmar]

Is it just me/my equipment, or do those fish look like they have an internal bacterial infection?

[MatsP]

They do indeed look a bit pink. I took that to be a camera issue.

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Mats

[Janne]

When stressed H. zebra turns pink, it's normal and as soon they are back in their right environment they will become white and black looking normal.

Janne

[Sanplec]

Thanks everyone.
I'm learning a lot like this.
But when is a Hypancistrus a L173, when a L098 and when L046.
I find this very difficult to see.
I would like to see this myself, so can someone tell mee?

[Janne]

Hypancistrus a L173 is one species, L098 and L046 is another species = H. zebra, the easiest differency to see is the colour of their eyes... L173 has brown eyes and L46/L98 has grey/blueish/silvry... another colour with other words.

Janne

[Sanplec]

Hypancistrus a L173 is one species, L098 and L046 is another species = H. zebra, the easiest differency to see is the colour of their eyes... L173 has brown eyes and L46/L98 has grey/blueish/silvry... another colour with other words.

Janne

Thanks, thats a easy way indeed.
But then one more question (forgive me ).
How can we see the diffrence between L46 and L98?
Is the L98 a L46 with wrong pattern?

[Sanplec]

Then I have another question, I'd like to ask it now, before I've forgotten
Should I breed with this male, or better not to?

[MatsP]

From what I understand, The "wiggly lines" variety (which I'm not even sure yours have wiggly enough to actually qualify for a L098 label) isn't necessarily inherited by the fry. And I would certainly not think they are significantly less valuable.

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Mats

[catmar]

When stressed H. zebra turns pink, it's normal and as soon they are back in their right environment they will become white and black looking normal.

Janne

That's why I joined this forum, info like that is invaluable; in 3 years of fishkeeping I've never read or heard about this trait in this fish-thanks Janne

[Unungy]

Hi

There is not much documentation of the differences of the L46\L98 markings, eye color, body shape etc. All we know is that some "zebras" have very different markings, "wiggly lines", and makes them unique.

The eye color indicates to me that they are L46 both of them, you do have a nice pair though the female's fins look a bit too small\incomplete. Maybe just a camera..angle

When stressed H. zebra turns pink, it's normal and as soon they are back in their right environment they will become white and black looking normal.

Janne

They also get pink, when they are changes made in their environment, such as medication being used, PH increased, new fish added, "other zebras" just to mention a few.

Saul

[DutchFry]

They also get pink, when they are changes made in their environment, such as medication being used, PH increased, new fish added, "other zebras" just to mention a few.

Saul

Yes, but all these changes in the environment cause stress, hence they go pink.