What kind of pleco do I have?

Suzanne · 06-23-2011, 05:56 PM

So, I did buy this fish myself, but it was 3 or 4 years ago and I don't think they told me more than that it was a pleco that wouldn't get very big (and I didn't know enough then to ask for more info). I suspect it might be a female bristlenose? But I really don't know, so asking for input here. It's somewhere between 3 and 4 inches long, and I think was fairly close to that size when I got it.

It's hard to take pictures of, being shy (particularly in the daytime), but here's what I've got:

Right under the thermometer is one of its favorite spots.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
Suzanne

WhiteGloveAquatics · 06-23-2011, 06:28 PM

I do know for a fact that the females have little to no bristles compared to a male. It looks identical to 3 females I have.

susankat · 06-23-2011, 07:27 PM

Looks like my females also.

automatic-hydromatic · 06-23-2011, 08:06 PM

3 or 4 years ago? if it were a bristlenose, I would expect to have see some sort of bristles on it by now, even if it were a female. but I'm comparing that to my albino bristlenoses that I have. one female, one male, and the male CLEARLY has larger and more developed bristles, but the females are obvious and visible too, and I've had them for maybe 5 months.

Maybe it's just the photos, but I don't see and bristles at all on the nose of that guy (or girl) there... 3 or 4 inches sounds about right for a full grown BNP though

Here's my female:

and for comparison, my male. who's ACTUALLY a longfinned, but he didn't like the water parameters after the recent move and all of his long beautiful fins withered away :( but he's acclimated now and they're growing back in

:

susankat · 06-23-2011, 08:30 PM

None of my females have any bristles. I had one that did, but traded her and 2 males for 6 other bns.

automatic-hydromatic · 06-23-2011, 08:38 PM

yeah it might just be a species thing. every albino I've ever seen had some (mature adults anyway; younger ones wont have any; neither of mine did when I fist got them), regardless if it were a female or male, but the males are obvious compared to the females

susankat · 06-23-2011, 08:47 PM

Well I have been breeding the darn things for a few years now, I have over 75 right now from babies to adults. I have albinos, browns, calicos, even black ones. Long fin and short fins. So hopefully I know what I am talking about.

06-23-2011, 05:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Suzanne Suzanne's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 133 Name: Suzanne Location: Minneapolis My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 24 Times Said "Thanks" 18 Times Was Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts	What kind of pleco do I have? So, I did buy this fish myself, but it was 3 or 4 years ago and I don't think they told me more than that it was a pleco that wouldn't get very big (and I didn't know enough then to ask for more info). I suspect it might be a female bristlenose? But I really don't know, so asking for input here. It's somewhere between 3 and 4 inches long, and I think was fairly close to that size when I got it. It's hard to take pictures of, being shy (particularly in the daytime), but here's what I've got: Right under the thermometer is one of its favorite spots. Thanks in advance for any help you can give! Suzanne

06-23-2011, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
WhiteGloveAquatics WhiteGloveAquatics's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,112 Name: WhiteDevil Location: NW suburbs of chicago Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 145 Times Said "Thanks" 48 Times Was Thanked 413 Times in 385 Posts	Re: What kind of pleco do I have? I do know for a fact that the females have little to no bristles compared to a male. It looks identical to 3 females I have.

06-23-2011, 07:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,419 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,150 Times Said "Thanks" 1,611 Times Was Thanked 1,808 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: What kind of pleco do I have? Looks like my females also. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

06-23-2011, 08:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
automatic-hydromatic unda da sea automatic-hydromatic's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,009 Name: Travis Location: Lake City, Florida Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 140 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 207 Times in 184 Posts	Re: What kind of pleco do I have? 3 or 4 years ago? if it were a bristlenose, I would expect to have see some sort of bristles on it by now, even if it were a female. but I'm comparing that to my albino bristlenoses that I have. one female, one male, and the male CLEARLY has larger and more developed bristles, but the females are obvious and visible too, and I've had them for maybe 5 months. Maybe it's just the photos, but I don't see and bristles at all on the nose of that guy (or girl) there... 3 or 4 inches sounds about right for a full grown BNP though Here's my female: and for comparison, my male. who's ACTUALLY a longfinned, but he didn't like the water parameters after the recent move and all of his long beautiful fins withered away :( but he's acclimated now and they're growing back in : __________________ My 30 gallon planted freshwater - CONSTANTLY CHANGING

06-23-2011, 08:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,419 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,150 Times Said "Thanks" 1,611 Times Was Thanked 1,808 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: What kind of pleco do I have? None of my females have any bristles. I had one that did, but traded her and 2 males for 6 other bns. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

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06-23-2011, 08:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
automatic-hydromatic unda da sea automatic-hydromatic's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,009 Name: Travis Location: Lake City, Florida Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 140 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 207 Times in 184 Posts	Re: What kind of pleco do I have? yeah it might just be a species thing. every albino I've ever seen had some (mature adults anyway; younger ones wont have any; neither of mine did when I fist got them), regardless if it were a female or male, but the males are obvious compared to the females __________________ My 30 gallon planted freshwater - CONSTANTLY CHANGING

06-23-2011, 08:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,419 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,150 Times Said "Thanks" 1,611 Times Was Thanked 1,808 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: What kind of pleco do I have? Well I have been breeding the darn things for a few years now, I have over 75 right now from babies to adults. I have albinos, browns, calicos, even black ones. Long fin and short fins. So hopefully I know what I am talking about. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

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