Rescue fish ID

[esoxlucius]

I picked up a few small rescue fish from my wife's friend earlier today, a few small tetras, a small bristlenose and this plec below. It's only 3" or so but I haven't a clue what "L" number it is, so I don't know if it's a dwarf variety or eventual leviathan. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[Deadeye]

Might just be a female bn

 

[esoxlucius]

Might just be a female bn

Just goes to show what I know about plecos, i thought all bristlenoses had, well, bristlenoses! Lol.

The other one out of the two does indeed have the bristles, so that one is male, and the one above is female in all likelihood then?

 

[Deadeye]

Don’t worry…this is the only pleco species I do know well lol
Only males will get the characteristic bristles. Juvie make and female don’t have them.
Mine when younger, bristles are starting to come out but I’m not sure if it’s a male tbh:

The spots on yours seem a bit small, but that could just be variation. I guess the other thing that helps confirm is I can’t imagine who you rescued it from dropping the big bucks on a fancy numbered pleco.

 

[BIG-G]

esoxlucius just looks like a young common to me.

Only males will get the characteristic bristles

My albino females have bristles.
They are shorter than the males but they do grow bristles.

 

[BIG-G]

Not mine (picture taken from internet label as a pair) but is exactly what they look like.

Male on top female below.

 

[esoxlucius]

I've just done a bit of research and yes indeed, both male and females have the bristles!

The only difference is that males tend to have more bristles, and longer, which are situated all over the head. Whereas the females tend to form around the mouth area and aren't as long, or numerous.

I'll just have to keep my eye on it. Last thing I need is a huge pleco at the moment. Bloody rescue fish, lol.

 

[Niki_up]

I've just done a bit of research and yes indeed, both male and females have the bristles!

The only difference is that males tend to have more bristles, and longer, which are situated all over the head. Whereas the females tend to form around the mouth area and aren't as long, or numerous.

I'll just have to keep my eye on it. Last thing I need is a huge pleco at the moment. Bloody rescue fish, lol.

No need to worry there, this is just a spotted female bn. Not all females get lip bristles…some may like going to the salon to have them waxed ?don’t judge a ladies choices

I have some females that don’t have any bristles what so ever.