PlanetCatfish.com

Ok so a lil history and info on this pleco. The previous owner had this guys in a 110gal Aquarium for 2.5-3yrs and was purchased for 39.99 They said they remember it has an L number but dont remember what it was. This pleco was said to be 4-5" long but I just measured it and its 6.5" Not sure what its tanks mates were but im guessing it use to get its fins nipped and bitten off a bit. Also its a bit under weight.

Well now he is in my 5gal only for quarantine purposes. I also got the nice job of needing to fatten him up. So here are the pics the original owner provided. Ill post more when I take some. These colors are fright colors.





Tummy looks white here but it does have spotting.


Any other camera angels you may need let me know. It has a total of seven rays in its dorsal fin.

I'm thinking

or else, maybe a Hypostomus of some kind. nice fish.

I'm not sure, but I'd say rather that it's than - it doesn't look elongate enough.

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Mats

I was thinking it was hypostomus but couldnt figure out which. The coloring doesnt match any of the ones I saw pictured on this site. Ill try taking more pics so you could get a better look at its true colors.

Yes, are very hard to identify, because there are lots of different species that are quite similar, and the fish can vary a bit depending on mood/health.

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Mats

Yeah I know how that goes. Well im figuring since it was in a 110gal for roughly 3yrs that it should be full grown or close to it. Ive been tryin to id this guy for bout a week on my own. Its amazing how many pleco's look alike. Hypostomus sp. for now I guess.

Maybe a .Nice looking fish

Hypostomus punctatus gets to big also the spotting on the body is different. The spots on H. punctatus are defined on the head but not on the body where as my new pleco has defined spots through out the entire body.

Loading some pics on photobucket right now maybe help with the ID a bit more.

Ok it has its fright colors back on. When its not in fright colors its spots look just like they do on the dark part of its back.

I don't think at 3 years old it's actually fully grown - at least not if it's one of the larger species. These fish should, under good conditions, live for at least a dozen years, and nearly all fish grow their whole life, more or less...

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Mats

But if its a larger species wouldnt it be bigger considering the size tank it was housed in??? I know its a diff species but my L-001 grew fast while in my 53gal. I could be wrong though I have been wrong a couple times in the past. More then ill ever admit lol. Ive never owned a Hypostomus before. Ive only messed with Pterygoplichthys oh roughly a yr ago got my first pair of L-144's

So this pleco might grow some more? Hmmm good thing im upgrading all my tanks soon then.

I'd personally expect a to grow a bit slower than (known to grow about fastest of all fish in the Loricariidae family - at least of the larger ones).

But it may of course be nearly fully grown - or not get enough food to grow really well.

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Mats

Well I think its diet wasnt what it should have been. Considering its under weight leaves me to beleive all it had to feed on was any algea on the glass or left overs from other tank mates. Also seeing how his fins are damaged means he would of been hidding most of the time. He seems very shy. Im keeping the lights off for now.

Hey, is it possible you get a real good picture of the mouth? I'm looking for a buccal papilla but I can't see it in that mouth picture.

Ill see what I can do he either hides behind the filter or stays on the gravel most of the time. Ill post a pic as soon as i could get a nice pic taken.

Ok I tried this is what i got. Hard to take a shot since his mouth is facing the wall. Ill try to get a better one if needed