What type of Pleco is this?

[komodo182]

Hello everyone,
Never thought I would have to make a thread like this because I am normally pretty good at identifying a fish.

Anyway, I have a pleco that "outgrew" his tank from his previous owner. He was free to good home about 1 year ago. He was in a 5 gallon and came from walmart the owner believes.(guessing age is around 2 years old, not including how old he was at walmart) At that time, I did have a 70 gallon, so I figured even though this little guy was only about 3-4 inches long and I did not know what it was, it would be fine for a long time. If the info helps, he gets along with my other rescue pleco that was in a 25 gallon for 12 years and is only 7 inches long. (don't worry, I did not have him in a 25 gallon)

It has not grown much at all. It is fed cucumber, romaine lettuce, fresh shrimp, frozen bloodworms, omega one shrimp pellets, HBH Newt Pellets, Marineland Labs Algae Wafers, Omega One Algae Wafers, Nutrafin Max Sinking pellets, probably some omega one flake food, Hikari Sinking Pellets.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could help me id this fish. Sorry about the bad quality pictures, they come from my cell phone. Whenever this pleco sees the real camera, he runs haha. No joke. Anyway, any info would be appreciated.


I'm thinking one of the versions of common pleco, but the lack of grow confuses me.

 

[Plec123]

looks like Hypostomus punctatus, but that size confuses me as well. perhaps it got stunted from being cramped in a small tank for most of its life? I suppose its possible that you have another similarly patterned Hypostomus species, but not likely.

 

[komodo182]

I searched the name in google and the second picture that pops up looks like it.

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=...a=X&ei=gTCbTJ6BNYO8lQeMxsSlCg&ved=0CBoQ9QEwAQ

I saw that one, which made me think it was a common, but the size is way off.
It was in a 70 until about 2 weeks ago when I moved it to my smallest tank, a 35 gallon. It has had driftwood all its life with me so far. And I believe the diet is a good diet for it. It does eat a lot, but just lacks growth. Also my tanks are all cycled, 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite, and I do a 30-50 percent water change a week to take care of nitrates and replace nutrients to the tank. Filtration is high in my mind. The 70 gallon has two emp 400's and the 35 its in now has 2 penguin 200s and an elite stringray for current.

 

[Warborg]

I'm thinking one of the versions of common pleco, but the lack of grow confuses me.

You would be correct, It's the original common(Hypostomus plecostomus) that has been replaced by the other commons.

While it's true most get bigger, it's not unheard for them to stay smaller. Mine is 8 years old and only 10 inches.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=580

 

[knifegill]

My friend had an 18 year old pleco in a 20 gallon tank and the fish wasn't even 10" total length. Craziness right there. Sad or a miracle, or both. I don't know what to think.

 

[Plec123]

You would be correct, It's the original common(Hypostomus plecostomus) that has been replaced by the other commons.

While it's true most get bigger, it's not unheard for them to stay smaller. Mine is 8 years old and only 10 inches.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=580

exactly. with plecs, you can only go by scientific names. hence why i typed out the scientific name of said plec. the pic posted by komodo182 is of a sailfin, a Pterygoplichthys species.

 

[Warborg]

the pic posted by komodo182 is of a sailfin, a Pterygoplichthys species.

I'm sorry but it's not.

 

[matubula]

I agree with Warborg, it's Hypostomus not Pterygoplichthys. If the OP could get a good erect dorsal fin pic, that would be definitive.

 

[komodo182]

I know its not a sailfin. The pleco is very shy and his dorsal is not huge. My buddy has a sailfin. This guy's dorsal is tiny and he rarely has it up. He is nocturnal.

I think one of the reason I like it so much is if you see him, its something more special than a fish like a goldfish that is not shy. I know that probably does not make sense to most fish keepers.

 

[Plec123]

I'm sorry but it's not.

I agree with Warborg, it's Hypostomus not Pterygoplichthys. If the OP could get a good erect dorsal fin pic, that would be definitive.

I know its not a sailfin. The pleco is very shy and his dorsal is not huge. My buddy has a sailfin. This guy's dorsal is tiny and he rarely has it up. He is nocturnal.

I think one of the reason I like it so much is if you see him, its something more special than a fish like a goldfish that is not shy. I know that probably does not make sense to most fish keepers.

NO GUYS... i meant the pic he posted in the link, right above warborg's post.
I know the pic in the first post is a hypostomus.

komodo, i understand that completely. my chrysichthys cat is only out and about when i first turn on the lights in the morning, then he hides for the day. much nicer to see him for a few seconds than to watch tetras all day...