Anything wrong with this pleco?

[creepyoldguy]

No, it doesn't, but the OP seemed okay with it.


Yes, but if it is surrounded by one color, that is the color it is going to respond to (if it has a response), not just the substrate color, and the first pic proves that they can be very dark on a very white substrate, and IME, a blue background tends to bring out lighter, more vivid colors in fish, so I'm not sure I understand what you mean there.

Blue is a darker color and would bring out a darker color in fish( if this is actually proven). The first pic shows the pleco on a light rock, not the actual substrate of the tank. Therefore you cannot tell if it is dark because of one reason or another. We know the background is blue, lets say the gravel/sand is black and the pleco came out to the rock doesn't mean it will lighten up instantly. I agree with both sides of your arguments. Personally I feel that there are too many unknown variables to the op's pics. By the way, I'm not trying to instigate things, I'm just taking part in the debate!

 

[jalepeno]

Personally I feel that there are too many unknown variables to the op's pics.

What would you like to know? I can probably get full tank shots.

 

[creepyoldguy]

What would you like to know? I can probably get full tank shots.

What I'm saying is that there are too many loopholes in either theory at this moment. Both sides have very valid points, but I've had plecos who were dark on dark substrate/background, dark on light substrate/dark background, light colored on light substrate/dark background, but never light on dark substrate/dark background.

 

[jclyde13]

What I'm saying is that there are too many loopholes in either theory at this moment. Both sides have very valid points, but I've had plecos who were dark on dark substrate/background, dark on light substrate/dark background, light colored on light substrate/dark background, but never light on dark substrate/dark background.

At one point I had a relatively light common (P. pardalis) on black gravel with a blue background, and since you consider blue to be dark, I think that probably counts. It was never quite as light as some gibby's get, but it was noticably lighter than most pardalis.

 

[Warborg]

To OP, There is nothing wrong with your pleco as you have gathered. They do that for many reasons as most have been mentioned.

 

[jalepeno]

Good to know!

 

[rideit6578]

I have to say that my gibby has the same "patches" that we are talking about and I have dark substrate. However, his color is more full and less patchy in the evening and during feedings. At first I thought it was the occasional stress or sign of hunger but mine is in no danger and eats like a champ. Tell your friend not to worry about it, he's in good shape.

 

[Jackson]

Like I said this fish is healthy looking.

Posting pics you (drgnfrc) find of other peoples fish proves nothing. You don't know their set up how long they had it or how long it has been sitting on that rock. It could of just touched down on it. Who knows only the one who snapped those shots. Also a lot of these pics you find are used to document the species in most cases. So they try to use for lack of better words the prettiest one they have on hand.

All I'm saying is when you said "most plecos" don't change colour according to their surroundings comes across as if you are saying all but a few of the 900+ Loricariidae out there do not poses the ability to change or camouflage them selves according to their surroundings/environment. That is not true. Look at what type of environment they come from. Rivers with huge predators in fast moving waters in most cases.
You did not make it clear that you were talking only about gibbis or commons you said most.
When I say surroundings I am not talking substrates only.

To the OP Once again this fish looks healthy.

Kaosu- that is not the same fish. Yours is a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus l-001/022