Black Ancistrus (?) with blue eyes?

[Archigoth]

I have this fish in my tank:





L but what? Can you help me?

[Silurus]

Ancistrus sp(l088)

?

[john h]

I think I have a female from 25 cm, so it could not been the L088

[Fishkeeperneo]

definitely the l088

[john h]

Because? On another forum they told me it is à "common" ancistrus.

[bekateen]

I think I have a female from 25 cm, so it could not been the L088

On another forum they told me it is à "common" ancistrus.

Hi john h,

The term "common ancistrus" is obviously very vague, but I don't think I've ever seen a "common" ancistrus anywhere close to that body size. You say yours is 25 cm. Is that SL or TL? If SL, there is only one Ancistrus listed on the pages of this website that reaches that length,

Ancistrus punctatus

. If you mean TL, then there are a few more spp. that reach this size. The way to check out the possibilities is this:

1. Go to the Species search tool (here).
2. Select Family name Loricariidae.
3. Select Genus name Ancistrus.
4. Measure your fish's SL (standard length, from the tip of snout to the base of the tail, not to the tip of the tail).
5. Type that measurement (in millimeters) for the Size Min value (be sure to record your fish's length as minimum size).
6. Hit search.

You won't get a lot of results. For example, if your fish's SL is 250 mm, only 1 species comes up. If your fish's SL is 200 mm, only 6 species come up.

Of course, all this assumes that your fish is actually one that has been listed already on this website. If you have an unknown species, or an individual which has grown unusually large, then you won't find a definitive answer.

Good luck, Eric

[Acanthicus]

He,

old specimens of the common brown Ancistrus sp. can reach up to 25cm TL without problems. The blueish eye is NOT a species characteristic of L 88, which doesn't grow that big. Some specimens of the brown Ancistrus get these blueish eyes, they are not blind, but it happens.

[bekateen]

old specimens of the common brown Ancistrus sp. can reach up to 25cm TL without problems.

Interesting. The Cat-eLog says the max size is around 12.5 SL. I realize that old fish keep growing, but I didn't know that much. Thanks.

[john h]

I hope the topic starter will replay the message I send him, maybe we can put our fish together

[AmoX]

Hi all

I know it's an old post, but really looking for some L088 (the black strain), this place seems likely to be only place in europe where they are mentioned, so hoping one of you might know where to get my hands on a group of these ?

[Bungle]

I'm looking for a female ancistrus sp (blue eyed brown ancistrus) for my male.
Have you still got this?

[rcbows]

As to the color of the "Ancistrus", try placing it into a white bucket for 24 hours. if it stays completely black and doesn't change color I would say you have a pure black strain, like mine. Brown Ancistrus change color based on there mood and can look black in unstressed surroundings, but stressed they often get a mottled look that some people get confused for a Calico, but in reality it's just a stressed fish. My strain of blacks will not change color no matter whether stressed or not, or placed in a different color container. They seam to be a true Black although in certain lights you can see a slightly mottled pattern.

Ron