Ancistrus ID

[stuby]

Picked some BN's up some time ago now and wanted to see if I could get a positive ID on them. The male in the picture is around 4" TL.

Thanks,
Chuck

[Carolus]

Could this be Ancistrus sp. Rio Ucayali?

[stuby]

I've had Ancistrus Rio Ucayali in the past and they look a little different than them to me. I bought them as L59's and think they actually might be them... they look correct to me anyways. I hope to confirm this when/if I get some fry from them.

Thanks,
Chuck

[Orinocensis1]

Looks to be Ancistrus hoplogenys

[bekateen]

I think there are too many and too small spots on the dorsal fin to be hoplogenys. I was thinking Rio Ucayali too. But if you've had them before, then you know how they differ from these.

Cheers, Eric

[stuby]

Thank you for the reply. I separated a pair to a different tank in the hopes that they might breed.... so far the male I picked hasn't even set "fin" in a cave. I may have to enlist a different male. I think the fry may shed some light on what they are or aren't...... I hope anyways! I think the pictures of A. hoplogenys are of mid sized and smaller fish..... the one I have pictured is around 4" TL so not a mid or small specimen. That is why I think fry may clear up what they are for sure...

Chuck

[Jobro]

my bets would be on hoplogenys. As most of the white seams, they have a convex caudal. Eric's Rio Ucayali for example have a concave caudal - as can be seen in his video here: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=44471

Maybe I see it wrong, but your fish seem to have a convex caudal, which would put them into white seam territory, if you ask me.
Merry Christmas

[stuby]

Thanks Jobro, they where fairly large when I got them and I have only had them for 11 months now..... but I think they had a very slight seem on the dorsal when I got them if I remember correctly. If I get them breeding I will make sure to post pictures of the fry.

Thanks,
Chuck

[Orinocensis1]

Spots are small because the fish is in its adult stage.