Help identify plecos

All posts regarding the care and breeding of these catfishes from South America.
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4age
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Help identify plecos

Post by 4age »

Hi guys

i purchased 7 Hypancistrus...the seller had them listed as inspector...i think that i have Hyp contradens judging from the size of the spots on the three largest ones..i am a bit concerned about the smaller ones..as i notice a difference in the size and number of spots compared to my largest ones..please advise what species these are and if possible..the sex

i am also looking for links regarding the ideal tank conditions for these fish..they are currently in a 3foot tank with a3 ancistrus and 1 hemiancistrus subviridus.

Image

Image

will upload more pics later.

TIA
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MatsP
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Re: Help identify plecos

Post by MatsP »

I agree, the body is quite high, so seems likely.

--
Mats
4age
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Re: Help identify plecos

Post by 4age »

So are they all contradens?I notice a large difference in spot size with 3 largest ones compared to the remaining 4.I am concerned about mixing up species..please advise if the plecs in the two pics are the same species (ignore the ancistrus in pic)
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jac
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Re: Help identify plecos

Post by jac »

From this picture it is a bit difficult. Body shape also tells a lot about the species. I think the first are L201 and the one with the big spots is a Contradens.
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Suckermouth
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Re: Help identify plecos

Post by Suckermouth »

jac wrote:From this picture it is a bit difficult. Body shape also tells a lot about the species. I think the first are L201 and the one with the big spots is a Contradens.
I agree, a mix of L201 and H. contradens is possible. Having better pictures of all of your fish would help identification.
- Milton Tan
Research Scientist @ Illinois Natural History Survey
4age
Posts: 8
Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 20:41
Location 2: cape town, south africa

Re: Help identify plecos

Post by 4age »

here are some more pics of the group together from the top..i fear that they are mixed...which was not what i wanted..the seller has some more..thinking of going back to get three more contradens if i have 2 already...then i can make up 2groups in th ehope of breeding them.

Image

Image

Image

Image

i read that the smaller contradens have smaller spots which increase in size as they grow...the two large ones with large spots are the largest in the group
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Suckermouth
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Re: Help identify plecos

Post by Suckermouth »

I see one contradens and the rest look like L201. The contradens is the one with the big spots on the left.
- Milton Tan
Research Scientist @ Illinois Natural History Survey
Rabbit
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Re: Help identify plecos

Post by Rabbit »

This may help
http://plecoplanet.com/?page_id=571
From those pics im leaning toward 3 Contradens amongst L201.
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4age
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Re: Help identify plecos

Post by 4age »

Ok..so I will seperate the two species n hopefully I will have enough of each to breed them..its my first time keeping hypancistrus.

I notice that 2 of the large spotted ones are spending a lot of time together in a cave..can I assume that this is a possible pair?
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