whats the difference

dark stranger

Feeder Fish
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Mar 21, 2006
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i'm wondering what the difference is between a sailfin and a common pleco
 

oscar300

Feeder Fish
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Apr 23, 2006
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From a basic point of view, the sail fin has a huge dorsal fin and the common doesnt.
 

Honda12

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Feb 7, 2006
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They are different species of plecos.
 

davo

Aimara
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Jan 9, 2006
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ok, hypostomus plecostomus (usually known as the common pleco)is currently the one single fish that is correctly a pleco. all other plecos are "Loricariids". a sailfin is Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps
 

davo

Aimara
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Jan 9, 2006
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theyre differences:

the gibby will get to about 18", whereas the common will get up to 24".
The common can stand cooler water better.
theyre general care is pretty much identical
theyre colouring is different as well as some physical characteristics as shown below (the gibby is showing its extended dorsal fin, and is well developed):

pleco1.jpg
 

davo

Aimara
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Jan 9, 2006
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also theyre are a few "common plecos" out there, is the one you were talking about hypostomus plecostomus? cause i know Hypostomus punctatus (below) is very similar to H. plecostomus- a darker fish with smaller spots (similar to that found on the head of H. punctatus) covering the whole body. other than that they are also identical in care

754ygw.jpg
 

WyldFya

Baryancistrus demantoides
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Dec 23, 2005
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H. Punctatus or trinadad plecs are often sold as commons, but common is a term that just refers to the plecos that the pet store may or may not know what they are. I have seen royals sold this way, as well as rubberlip, and a L114, as well as some G. gibbiceps, and have heard of people getting blue eyes that way. davo your forgeting the color morphs for H. Plecostomus, chocolate, cinammon.
 

davo

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theres colour morphs in them all. some gibbys are really red, others arent. albinos are common. theres a yellow morph of the H. plecostomus too. it was general info. i agree though that many plecos are sold as commons, but these are the most likely
 

WyldFya

Baryancistrus demantoides
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Dec 23, 2005
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its funny how some that are sold as "commons" don't look very common, like one with a blue eye???
 
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