Gibbiceps and Plecos

[p1ngu]

Hey wanting to know some things-


* Are gibbiceps and plecos the same thing?

*Is a hi-fin pleco also known as a gibbiceps?


If so can someone please post links to pics which show the plecos and gibbiceps what look the same if not the same?

Thanks.

 

[Stav'sBetta]

In the UK, gibbiceps is usually sold under the name 'common pleco', and has (usually) brown leopard patches and golden colouring between them. My Alonso is a gibbiceps, but I don't have any pictures of him at the moment. I'm not sure about anywhere else in the world.

Hi-fin plecos are similar to the gibbiceps (as far as I know), but they've got different fins (hence the name).

Not much use really, sorry

 

[p1ngu]

Hrm..if i can post pics ill post a piccy of mine, any sites showing the two? gibbiceps and hi-fin pleco.

Are gibbiceps the same thing as plecos?

 

[andywg]

pleco is a broad term to describe catfish of the loricaridai (sp) family.

A gibbi (from its latin name Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps) is often sold as a sail fin pleco or red sailf fin pleco.

I dare say that hi-fin pleco is a name made up by a fish store as they are more than prone to do...

 

[Bloo]

[quote name='Stav'sBetta' date='May 25 2005, 01:49 PM'] In the UK, gibbiceps is usually sold under the name 'common pleco' [/quote]
As far as know, that is incorrect.
Gibbiceps are in fact "Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps" and known commonly as "Sail Fin Plecs" - here is their profile on Planet Catfish.
Common Plecs are in fact "Hypostomus punctatus" and here is their profile on Planet Catfish.

Also to my knowledge, there is no commonly known plec such as purely a "high fin plec". However that might well refer to the Sail Fin plec due to it's huge dorsal fin.

 

[p1ngu]

the fotos of the gibbiceps, are they all gibbiceps? or are they different species? since the colour is different..besides the albinos are they all the same? Just some dark and some light?

Thanks.

 

[Bloo]

Exactly. Those in the Planet Catfish link under "gibbiceps" are all "gibbiceps". The albino is exactly the same - just an albino (no colour pigments). Colours can vary in darkness / light to some extent.

 

[smithrc]

yep Gibbys are plecos... sail fin plecs to use their common name

Common plecs are (as bloozoo2 pointed out) different.

Both get large, common about 12" and Sail fins 18" (both approx)

 

[pica_nuttalli]

actually, i once emailed a professor at my university about a possible ID of my common plec. (the guy specializes in Amazon catfish, so i figured it was worth a shot.) what he told me is that most plecos sold as "common plecos" are actually HYBRIDS of gibbiceps and hypostomus plecs!! (the hybridization occurs when the fish are bred in farms)

just thought that was interesting; i'm not sure how it may or may not relate to "hi-fin" plecs.

 

[smithrc]

actually, i once emailed a professor at my university about a possible ID of my common plec. (the guy specializes in Amazon catfish, so i figured it was worth a shot.) what he told me is that most plecos sold as "common plecos" are actually HYBRIDS of gibbiceps and hypostomus plecs!! (the hybridization occurs when the fish are bred in farms)

just thought that was interesting; i'm not sure how it may or may not relate to "hi-fin" plecs.

that would make perfect sense - look at the plec in my sig - We were never sure if he was a common or a sailfin...

 

[Bloo]

If that is true, I would say yours leans far more towards being a Gibby (but he just doesn't look quite right does he ?)

 

[smithrc]

If that is true, I would say yours leans far more towards being a Gibby (but he just doesn't look quite right does he ?)

ecactly - the colouration is all wrong