Is It A Bristlenose If....

[SouthernCross]

Hey all

I'm keen to get a bristlenose plec, as I only want a little plec that doesn't grow too big.

I was looking at the ones labelled bristlenose at my LFS, and they all have a band of white on the ends of their tails, and a bit on their dorsal too. They range from darker brown to a lighter brown with mottled markings. They're all tiny, so none have bristles yet.

Are these true bristlenose plecs? I've been looking at pictures of people's bristlenoses on here, and they don't seem to have the white bands - mostly all brown.

I just want to check because I don't want to get one then find out he's going to be too big...

Thanks

 

[xingumike]

yes sure sounds like one, here is a young one that is just getting bristles (its a male) you can see the white on the caudal and dorsal.

http/www.plecofanatics.com/gallery/showp...500/ppuser/7171

 

[SouthernCross]

That guy only has a little bit of white...

I mean a long band, from the top to the bottom of the edge of the fan of the tail/fin....

*Edit*

After poking around on that site a bit, the white stripes look closest to what is on what is like a Starlight L183, like in the picture here:

http/www.plecofanatics.com/gallery/showp...L183/perpage/25

But the body colour of the ones at my LFs aren't the same - they're not nearly that dark, but brown and light brown...and I don't think the spots are the same, not as defined.

I'm sorry, but I'm just so paranoid about inadvertantly getting a tankbuster...

 

[xingumike]

Sorry i didn't pick up on the white band comment.

Base colouration will change dependant on mood, lighting, substrate etc etc i am struggling to think of another sp. that has the band like Ancistrus dolichopterus (L183) so im pretty sure you are ok.

If you can get a photo and post it that will obviously confirm it but imo it isn't a 'tank buster'

 

[smithrc]

sounds like what you Austrailains call peppermint bristlenoses - how much are they ?

(they are a lot more desireable than normal BN's)

 

[SouthernCross]

I don't have a photo, I haven't bought one yet! I think I'll be pretty safe, so next time I'm there I think I will. They had loads of them.

They were $7. All they are labelled on the tank is 'bristlenose catfish'.

 

[smithrc]

I don't have a photo, I haven't bought one yet! I think I'll be pretty safe, so next time I'm there I think I will. They had loads of them.

They were $7. All they are labelled on the tank is 'bristlenose catfish'.

That sounds very cheap - I'd buy all of them at that!
Pop over to plecofanatics and have a look on there - the Australian contingent over there is very big

Just had a look through a few of the austrailian classifieds over there...
"breeding colony of peppermints 3 female 1 male ,1 female at 9cm , 2 female at 12cm, male at 13cm have breed before $650"

 

[SouthernCross]

Hahah to me, their colouring isn't the same as what pictures of peppermints/starlights whatever they are look like. As I said, they were more brown, and the spots weren't as tiny/bright. They just have similar bandings on the tail/dorsal. I think its a safe bet that they're not those....On some the banding was more thick and distinct than on others, some didn't have a lot of white at all.

The LFS is very decent too - they know their fish, if they had something worth money I'm sure they'd be charging for it...

If/when I get one, I'll be sure to post a picture.

 

[dylema]

Sounds like it is most probably a normal BN (sp3). The price sounds right for say 4-5cm one. Some do have a fairly pronounced white tips on both tips of the tail which would almost look like a white seam. If on darker substrate sp3 can look almost back and the spots can look quite white but not like the Pepps as you said.

Here is one of my young peppermints.

and a young sp3.

and a couple of tiny ones to see the tail seam.

Dylan

 

[SouthernCross]

Ahh, cheers dylema

Yeah they definitely didn't look like peppermints (but wow are they cute, I wish my LFS would get some of those!!!!). Out of curiosity, how much do they usually go for?

They look more like the ones in your second picture, but with a bit more white, but as you said, they do vary Some in the tank only had the same amount as those guys but others had more.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest.

 

[dylema]

Pepps can be really expensive at the LFS (I have seen them for up too $140 at 4cm more like $50 for small ones.) but if you know someone they can be found for as little as $15 at about 3cm. where abouts are you located?

 

[SouthernCross]

NSW - so very far away from you in SA and people that you 'know' no doubt, .

 

[dylema]

Don't worry I know people in NSW as well. lol. If you are interested and I can point you in the right direction.