Come someone identify this plec?

Ironside · Post by **Ironside** » 06 May 2005, 15:08

I have had this little chap for quite a while. He is only small, maybe 2 1/2 inches I have been told that he won't get big. I don't know what species it is. If someone my use, can you please enlighten me?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 06 May 2005, 15:15

it's hard to tell from that view. A better photo would be one showing the top of the fish, preferrably with the dorsal fin raised.

In lack of better evidence, I'll throw out a couple of possible alternatives of relatively common plecos for you to look at:
- Common bristlenose (in which case your "chap" is a "chapesse"), grows to max 5".
- Common pleco. This does grow QUITE huge, about 10-12" if you look after it well.
- Sailfin pleco. Grows way over 10", perhabs to 18" if well cared for.

There are literally hundreds of different brown plecos, so without any better details, these are just (somewhat) wild guesses.

--
Mats

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 06 May 2005, 15:56

I think that is an albino gibbiceps.

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 06 May 2005, 15:58

Hi!

Sounds a lot like a common Ancistrus ( )

Cheers
Yann

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 06 May 2005, 16:05

Chrysichthys wrote:I think that is an albino gibbiceps.

Eh? It's brown, so how can it be albino? Are we looking at the same picture?

--
Mats

dancingdryad · Post by **dancingdryad** » 06 May 2005, 19:31

It's certainly not a Gibbiceps, they have distinct markings on their bellies, much like on the top of the body only paler brown splots with a creamier background.

The pic shows a belly much more like on a common bristlenose, which looking at the mouth on it, I would say is nearer the mark. However a few more pics would help...

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 08 May 2005, 14:14

MatsP wrote:
Chrysichthys wrote:I think that is an albino gibbiceps.
Eh? It's brown, so how can it be albino? Are we looking at the same picture?
Mats

There are a lot of these plecos around in Britain right now; my LFS has them selling as 'albino plecs.' I think (and the LFS thinks) they are a gibbiceps lacking a pattern. The 13-14 dorsal fin rays indicate a large species. Perhaps albino is not the word, but you can tell by the eyes that there is a pigment alteration of some kind.

That said, the pic posted is of the underside, so I could be completely wrong.

Post by **Shane** » 08 May 2005, 15:15

It is an Ancistrus. Look very closely and you can see the tentacles at the end of the nose.
-Shane

Ironside · Post by **Ironside** » 08 May 2005, 15:25

Sorry I haven't posted anymore photographs. Unfortunately, this little guy doesn't come to the front of the tank very often. The pictures that I posted where the best I could get. Other than getting in the tank with him, I am afraid I could only get photographs from one angle. I have had him for at least two years now and he is any very small, no more on 2 inches. One thing I will say about him, he is the best algae eating fish I have ever had. He can clear a small tank of algae in a couple of days . I wish I could put them in my Oscar tank, not a good idea

Ironside · Post by **Ironside** » 08 May 2005, 16:08

I think you could be correct about it being a bristle nose catfish. I have blown up the mouth section and altered the contrast. If you look very carefully, you can definitely see some whiskers.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 09 May 2005, 09:52

Ironside wrote:Sorry I haven't posted anymore photographs. Unfortunately, this little guy doesn't come to the front of the tank very often. The pictures that I posted where the best I could get. Other than getting in the tank with him, I am afraid I could only get photographs from one angle. I have had him for at least two years now and he is any very small, no more on 2 inches. One thing I will say about him, he is the best algae eating fish I have ever had. He can clear a small tank of algae in a couple of days . I wish I could put them in my Oscar tank, not a good idea

I know, they can be a pain to take photos of.

If it's an Ancistrus, the most likely candidate is "Common Bristlenose", although there are other varieties.

Have a look at .

What are you feeding the little guy (assuming from the fact it's got bristles -> male). If you haven't got plenty of algae, you may want supplement with the odd algae wafer and a bit of courgette.

--
Mats

Ironside · Post by **Ironside** » 09 May 2005, 22:00

I give him algae tablets.