Golden Nuggets

[davo]

i've known reedfish to eat things you wouldnt have thought they could (size wise). i know someone who had their reedfish die from swallowing a pleco

 

[WyldFya]

i've known reedfish to eat things you wouldnt have thought they could (size wise). i know someone who had their reedfish die from swallowing a pleco

This one isn't big enough, I know that, but give him a few more months and he will be.

 

[benzjamin13]

How can you tell the large Gn from the smaller varieties when it's small?

 

[davo]

its larger? if you mean spots, there are just less of them, and generally bigger (although the size of them is usually ?). there will be a difference in the way they are spaced

 

[WyldFya]

That and the different types have different seams on their dorsals.

 

[davo]

although this is true, its hard to spot on juvies. the best way is by looking at the spots (as described) or by looking at the colour of the yellow. the small spot (L081) is actually a very pale yellow generally in comparison to the other two (L018, L085, L177), and the large spot (L177) is usually a really vibrant colour in comparison.

NB, that L085 is the adult version of L018, and is in fact the EXACT same pleco, from the same place and scientifically speaking. They usually go a paler colour (the black to a more brown) when older though, which is the reason for aqualog having it as 2 different spp. when they were unidentified.

The colour thing is really useful, and unless the fish is unhealthy, the yellowness, should not disappear much due to stress at all (its the base colour that changes). however, if you dont have the others to compare too, your a bit stuck. heres pics of 3 juvies, and it is quite obvious.