Need Pleco ID
- Thread starter Big Vine
- Start date
BV, I think what you have is an L087, which I think falls under the "common" umbrella (could be wrong about that, though):
PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae • Hypostomus sp(l087)
Some other possibilities:
PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae • Hypostomus sp(l078)
PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae • Hypostomus sp(l139)
PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae • Hypostomus sp(l087)
Some other possibilities:
PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae • Hypostomus sp(l078)
PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae • Hypostomus sp(l139)
Jeff to the rescue...thanks a bunch---I was hoping you'd show up here!
To tell you the truth, I was hoping Pure would chime in too, but he's been in hiatus even longer than you have, if I'm not mistaken.
I was initially thinking:
PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae
(Hypostomus cf. nematopterus L060)
BUT, the spots seem too small and asymmetrical.
THEN I saw the L087, and I think that's a much better match!
The spots are larger, more in a row/much more uniform---especially when you look at the dorsal fin.
Some additional questions:
1) Is it safe to say definitely Hypostomus of some sort?
2) L087 and others similar to it appear to be listed at an 11.8" SL max---so the one I've got shouldn't turn into a monster (12"+), right?
3) Assuming it is L087 or another closely related Hypostomus, what would its dietary needs be? The teeth on the mouth appear to be designed for wood-rasping...would you agree? Would it be more carnivorous or vegetarian...both?
The guy at the LFS said it was a "Trinidad pleco," but the true pleco which fits under that name has at least 10 dorsal rays, so not a match there. However, he also added that it gets to about 7-8" in length...which would be consistent for a reasonable sized adult of the Hypostomus varieties we've been looking into.
Of course, if the guy doesn't know what it's called, how much faith could I put in his size predictions for it?
Thanks for the help, Jeff.
BV
To tell you the truth, I was hoping Pure would chime in too, but he's been in hiatus even longer than you have, if I'm not mistaken.
I was initially thinking:
PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae
(Hypostomus cf. nematopterus L060)
BUT, the spots seem too small and asymmetrical.
THEN I saw the L087, and I think that's a much better match!
The spots are larger, more in a row/much more uniform---especially when you look at the dorsal fin.
Some additional questions:
1) Is it safe to say definitely Hypostomus of some sort?
2) L087 and others similar to it appear to be listed at an 11.8" SL max---so the one I've got shouldn't turn into a monster (12"+), right?
3) Assuming it is L087 or another closely related Hypostomus, what would its dietary needs be? The teeth on the mouth appear to be designed for wood-rasping...would you agree? Would it be more carnivorous or vegetarian...both?
The guy at the LFS said it was a "Trinidad pleco," but the true pleco which fits under that name has at least 10 dorsal rays, so not a match there. However, he also added that it gets to about 7-8" in length...which would be consistent for a reasonable sized adult of the Hypostomus varieties we've been looking into.
Of course, if the guy doesn't know what it's called, how much faith could I put in his size predictions for it?
Thanks for the help, Jeff.
BV
Its hard to say. I dont have enough experience to be able to tell. It does look a bit like a L087, problem is that dorsal fin. Its pretty distinct and Im not thinking that its shape matches that of a L087. BV keep in mind that patterns vary ALOT with plecos. Two could be of the same type and still have very distinct patterns.
I'm guessing it's some sort of Hypostomus, although you're right in that we need Pure to drop in for an accurate I.D.
I'd guess that guy will end up in the 8-12" range...but should be interesting to find out, right? I would think vegetarian -- not necessarily wood-rasping (although the teeth certainly look capable), but algae wafers, blanched veggies, etc. should do him well.
I'd guess that guy will end up in the 8-12" range...but should be interesting to find out, right?
I would think vegetarian -- not necessarily wood-rasping (although the teeth certainly look capable), but algae wafers, blanched veggies, etc. should do him well.Thanks guys...I agree about the dorsal as well.
Then again, doesn't it look to you like the first ray was broken off about halfway up? Or is that how it's supposed to be? Overall, the dorsal isn't as smooth as on the L087 shown in the link, but I'm thinking that might partly be due to mine having fin damage...perhaps it will fill in.
I'll admit, it was an impulse-buy.
Seemed like it would fit in nicely in the salvini tank based on its projected size (according to the LFS guy), but maybe I'd be best trading it in for a more suitable specimen for which I know the 'L' number and would be more carnivorous in nature.
Maybe even try for another leopard (L114) pleco?
BV
Then again, doesn't it look to you like the first ray was broken off about halfway up? Or is that how it's supposed to be? Overall, the dorsal isn't as smooth as on the L087 shown in the link, but I'm thinking that might partly be due to mine having fin damage...perhaps it will fill in.
I'll admit, it was an impulse-buy.
Seemed like it would fit in nicely in the salvini tank based on its projected size (according to the LFS guy), but maybe I'd be best trading it in for a more suitable specimen for which I know the 'L' number and would be more carnivorous in nature.
Maybe even try for another leopard (L114) pleco?
BV
Upon further review, re: the dorsal fin...it does look as if the first spine is broken off, which would go a long way in making the fin look more "smooth" if it was full length (or, like it might be smooth when the lil guy grows up). I still would bet on L087, but I'm definitely not an expert at these things.
I'd try the planetcatfish ID forum as Lotus suggested -- and don't forget to let us know what you find out!
I'd try the planetcatfish ID forum as Lotus suggested -- and don't forget to let us know what you find out!
Okay, I've got it figured out---thanks for the help!
Here goes:
It is definitely Hypostomus...most probably what is known as Hypostomus plecostomus (PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae • Hypostomus plecostomus. Look at the third photo and compare it with mine and the L087.
Technically it could be L087, and if you compare the two on the planetcatfish database, they are virtually identical (at least from the photos available there).
Just for clarification for folks about the term "common pleco":
It refers to a number of different plecos not always found in the same genus. When people started saying mine looks like a "common pleco," I freaked out a bit (instantly picturing foot and a half long monster crammed into my 3 ft. tank). BUT, the true monsters sold under the umbrella 'common pleco' are actually Pterygoplichthys. For example, the sailfin pleco falls within this genus and the common P. gibbiceps can attain 17.7" according to the planetcatfish profile. Hypostomus, on the other hand, are not the same---most appear to remain in the 10" neighborhood. The main distinction between these two genuses is that Pterygoplichthys have 10 rays or more on the dorsal fin, whereas Hypostomus and many others have 8 or fewer (mine has 8).
Having said that, the jury's still out on whether or not it makes much sense to stick mine in a 3 ft. tank when it can be expected to attain 10 inches, but I think it's doable...for quite some time, anyway...
I think I'll hang onto the little fella...especially after all this 'after-purchase' research!
BV
Here goes:
It is definitely Hypostomus...most probably what is known as Hypostomus plecostomus (PlanetCatfish • Cat-eLog • Loricariidae • Hypostomus plecostomus. Look at the third photo and compare it with mine and the L087.
Technically it could be L087, and if you compare the two on the planetcatfish database, they are virtually identical (at least from the photos available there).
Just for clarification for folks about the term "common pleco":
It refers to a number of different plecos not always found in the same genus. When people started saying mine looks like a "common pleco," I freaked out a bit (instantly picturing foot and a half long monster crammed into my 3 ft. tank). BUT, the true monsters sold under the umbrella 'common pleco' are actually Pterygoplichthys. For example, the sailfin pleco falls within this genus and the common P. gibbiceps can attain 17.7" according to the planetcatfish profile. Hypostomus, on the other hand, are not the same---most appear to remain in the 10" neighborhood. The main distinction between these two genuses is that Pterygoplichthys have 10 rays or more on the dorsal fin, whereas Hypostomus and many others have 8 or fewer (mine has 8).
Having said that, the jury's still out on whether or not it makes much sense to stick mine in a 3 ft. tank when it can be expected to attain 10 inches, but I think it's doable...for quite some time, anyway...
I think I'll hang onto the little fella...especially after all this 'after-purchase' research!
BV
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I wouldn't take him back just yet. The term "common plec" can and has been applied to several species of plecs, most Pterygoplichthys (or Glyptoperichthys, whichever it is this week ), but back in they day it was Hypostomus species that were most commonly seen as "common pleco". This is why many resources (old sites, books, etc.) will picture species of the "new school commons" (Pterygo/Glypto) with a heading of "Hypostomus plecostomus".
Personally I've never seen a Hypostomus sp. bigger than 10 or 11" and I've seen a few old ones.
Around here you can't give away 12"+ commons.
), but back in they day it was Hypostomus species that were most commonly seen as "common pleco". This is why many resources (old sites, books, etc.) will picture species of the "new school commons" (Pterygo/Glypto) with a heading of "Hypostomus plecostomus".Personally I've never seen a Hypostomus sp. bigger than 10 or 11" and I've seen a few old ones.
Around here you can't give away 12"+ commons.
Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought...thanks for chiming in.
I also made the distinction between Hypostomus and the larger varieties such as sailfins (i.e. Pterogoplichthys) in my previous post.
I know for a fact that mine is Hypostomus (8 dorsal rays) as opposed to Pterogoplichthys (10+ dorsal rays), so it should stay under a foot in length.
Thanks straitjacket!
BV
I also made the distinction between Hypostomus and the larger varieties such as sailfins (i.e. Pterogoplichthys) in my previous post.
I know for a fact that mine is Hypostomus (8 dorsal rays) as opposed to Pterogoplichthys (10+ dorsal rays), so it should stay under a foot in length.
Thanks straitjacket!
BV