NEWBIE ALERT! question about Hypancistrus sp. (L333)

[Mac]

I see this fish designated here as "Hypancistrus sp. (L333)". Has this fish been re-classified as L401?

[Mac]

I should do more research before flapping my jaws. I see that L401 and L333 are 2 different "species?" from different geographic locations.

[bekateen]

Hi Mac,

Any fish with an L number (like

L333

or

L401

) that does not also have a full scientific name (like Hypancistrus zebra or something like that) has not been described as a species and therefore we cannot say what does or does not belong in the same species. Obviously, two fish that look really different or are from radically different areas are likely to be different species, but two fish that look similar might be the same species, especially if they are from similar locations.

L401 is from a different area than L333, so although they look similar, they are most likely different species. But until each is described scientifically, we can't say exactly what species they are.

Cheers, Eric

[Mac]

Thanks Eric