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Could this be another Acanthicus ?


I see similarities with A. hystrix.......



Thanks for taking the time to help me with this matter

~cichlidfinder~

Looks like an adonis to me.

sure is an adonis .

Kev

Thanks for having a look. The spot pattern of the younger adonis in the cat e log seemed differant so I wanted to be sure. I have had him for over a year and am very pleased with him. Thanks again

~cichlidfinder~

Hi!

Depending of the origin the pattern changes a bit...
Most commonly encoutered in the trade are the one coming from Peru...

Cheers
Yann

If you could be so kind as to answer one more question, and I hope you forqive my unsientific background.

When this Acanthicus (and the hystrix pic you have shows this) yawns. He displays appendagas near his gill plates. What are these called? Do they have a function ? And finally is this the defineing characteristic of Acanthicus?
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/lo ... /217_5.php

Again Thanks for your time for helping a small guy in this hobby.

~cichlidfinder~

The "appendages" or spines near the "gill plate" of the adonis are called interopercular odontodes. Many, if not he majority of "plecs" have varying forms of thess formidable looking spines. If, you have a chance, take a look at the L034 (medusa pleco), both the males and females have impressive sets.

Natefrog described it pretty well. Most loricaridae have interopercular odontodes (try saying that after a few pints . They do have a function: They are used as a defence mechanism against anything that may be seen as a threat, for instance in territorial fights or when some other fish is trying to steal their food.

In some species, males have more defined odontodes, in other cases the males and females are pretty much similar.

Also, a pleco in a bag will use these odontodes to puncture the bag by squeezing it's head into a corner and flaring the odontodes against the bag. The shop I go to tape the corners to avoid the pleco getting in there.

--
Mats

How can I post a pic from My Pictures album on my computer?

Go Here:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/albu ... _index.php
And create an album. Or use a site like this:
http://www.imageshack.us/