Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps stunted?

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Kaosu

Kaosu

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
May 8, 2010
2,279
22
38
Washington State
had this pleco about 2-3 years now got it at about an inch and its about 6 inches,

should it be bigger at this age? im not to sure about the size of these i thought they were close to the same as commons
any ideas on sex?
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and is it normal for them to shift colors like this? the light blotches, it changes when it eats normally

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It's not a Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps. It's a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=177

While most tend to max out smaller then the gibbiceps, I suppose in theory it's possible for them to reach up to 20inches but the biggest I've heard was 16inches. I would expect 12inches to be the norm.

As long as the tank is decent size and you feed and clean the tank at normal times. I would not worry about it. Just because fish grow slow doesn't mean something's wrong.
 
any idea on sex?
 
It's not a Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps. It's a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...species_id=177

While most tend to max out smaller then the gibbiceps, I suppose in theory it's possible for them to reach up to 20inches but the biggest I've heard was 16inches. I would expect 12inches to be the norm.

As long as the tank is decent size and you feed and clean the tank at normal times. I would not worry about it. Just because fish grow slow doesn't mean something's wrong.
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i know lol switched up the name had a thread up to ID it with another pleco and copied the wrong name, thank you for all the info!
 
that is clearly not an L 83 its reall cool looking my L83 is growing like crazy he just broke an inch lol and his fins are starting to become rimmed with a little red. lol im a dotting pleco parent.

its very pretty thought, I would listen to the other people they know there stuff
 
Not really...but does it matter? They won't breed in the home tank. They need mud ponds for holes in the ground for laying their eggs
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nope not at all ^_^ ill just keep calling it a her

thank you again^_^

oh yah she is in a 25 gallon tank atm with my sculpin a 50 gallon whisper filter and a 25 gallon filter, and a large air stone 50% water change once a week cold water..maybe the cold is slowing the growth

she loved eating krill and blood worms i feed the sculpin, gets zucchini once a week or so, spinach and lettuce as i have it

oh yah! and the color thing..if you see in the pics she has big washed out marks..is that normal? they appear and disappear really fast?

(shes in the far right corner upside down on the log...her favorite place)
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Like the others have said, that's a P. joselimaianus.

Good news is they don't grow into monsters, but are a hardy and tough medium size pleco. I've never seen one more than 12", mine is only 8" and is maybe 4 years old.

The fading colour is pretty normal. It changes with their mood or stress. Mine don't like being stared at, or having their picture taken. They fade like that. Walk away and 5mins later they are back to normal.

Ian
 
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