ID please - black and white pleco...

[Judazzz]

Hey people,

this is my first post here - great site, btw.
I got a new pleco a while ago, and would like to know what species it is: it came with a new tank I bought recently, and it's one pretty fish for sure!


Here are some pics:






The spots look a bit greenish in the pics, but in 'real life', they are snow white. The fish is about 3" TL.


So, does anyone know what is it?
Thanks in advance!

[Silurus]

Probably this guy.
Baryancistrus cf. niveatus

[Judazzz]

Wow, that was fast - great service

It defintely looks like that one, but at another another board they also told me that it could be Scobinancistrus sp. (L133).....
How do I tell them apart?

[Silurus]

Could be...
Why don't you compare your fish against the pics of L133 in the Cat-eLog? Seems that L133 has larger spots and a more slender caudal peduncle.

[kgroenhoej]

This might help you.

http://www.forum.planetcatfish.com/viewtopic.php?t=154

-Klaus

[Yann]

HI!!


By the look of your fish, I would say Baryancistrus, really got the typical head from and shape of the genus.
Cheers
Yann

[STINGRAY]

Check out LDA33 this cat has white spots like you describe. We have had these cats several times at this size and they look identical to yours.

[Judazzz]

Thanks for all the replies, people!
I realise id-ing these kinds of fish is quite a nightmare...

After looking at the pics suggested more closely, I'd say it does resemble L133 more closely than Baryancistrus cf. niveatus.
The spots on my fish are larger than the Baryancistrus, but then, I don't know the size of that fish, nor how large the spots grow once they get larger...
But in general appearance, it resembles Scobinancistrus more closely, imo. - the (caudal and dorsal) are as dark as in the planetcatfish picture, with no fin rays visible (as in most Baryancistrus pics). No idea how much value this has, though.

I haven't had the opportunity to have a closer look at the mouth/teeth, since it usually hangs out in the back of the tank - God knows what it's up to at night, though...
I'll see if I can get some better shots.


Anyways: thanks for the suggestions, and if any of you have other pointers/suggestions, please, let me know

[Plec0maniac]

looks more like an Lda33 than an L133

[kgroenhoej]

I also think it's a Baryancistrus - most likely L142/LDA33

-Klaus

[Loricariidae Wholesales]

Just to put my two penneth in I would say it is LDA33 as well. Not only is the head a dead ringer but the curved dorsal fin is also typical. If you can look at the dorsal when errect does the base of the dorsal where it joins the body (tail end) have a little webbed piece of membrane that goes backwards towards the tail. If it does it is LDA33 if it doesn't have this piece of webbing it is not a Baryancistrus species.


http://www.tropicalfish.co.uk

[batho]

Definitely LDA33 Baryancistrus.

I have one at about 3".

Steve

[Judazzz]

Just to put my two penneth in I would say it is LDA33 as well. Not only is the head a dead ringer but the curved dorsal fin is also typical. If you can look at the dorsal when errect does the base of the dorsal where it joins the body (tail end) have a little webbed piece of membrane that goes backwards towards the tail. If it does it is LDA33 if it doesn't have this piece of webbing it is not a Baryancistrus species.


http://www.tropicalfish.co.uk

I'm not really sure what to look at, but I managed to shoot some more pics:





Maybe these are helpful?


btw: thanks for all the suggestions, guys

[König Löwe]

Just thought I should point out that my unidentified "LDA-33" is extremely similar to this one...

http://www.forum.planetcatfish.com/view ... ight=lda33

[Yann]

Hi Everyone!!!

I would not say 100% it is a LDA 33 because I have no proof your fish is originating form the place where LDA 33 is find.
Due to the black background colour and the white dots, HH 's id is the most accruate : Baryancistrus cf niveatus

Judazz: I think you shall let your fish grow a bit to see how big. As far as I know it seems that the Baryancistrus sp "LDA 33" does not grow as big as could grow the Baryancistrus niveatus (group???)

Cheers
Yann