What Is He Really?

[The-Wolf]

hi all
I brought this little chap about 6 months ago as a L007 vampire plec
he has not grown at all since then (T/L 3.5 - 4")
I don't see the V in the mouth so I'm thinking he is not a L007
so what is he?

 

[smithrc]

Your right - it doesn't look like an L007...

The head shape looks wrong and the mouth doesn't look right either...

BUT I cant spot what he could be...

Any chance of a top down and a straight side on shot?
(yeah I know - it'll be impossible)

 

[The-Wolf]

lol, it has taken me this long to get those shots
i'll see what I can do.
I'm thinking it maybe an LDA number of some kind

 

[Lynda B]

I have no clue what he is, but he's beautiful.....

 

[smithrc]

I'm thinking Baryancistrus...

How does he compare to this one?

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=628

 

[The-Wolf]

similar is the best answer I can give but the spots seem to big and the wrong colour on that one.
these are the best I can do for full side and top pics, hopefully they will be good enough

he has had enough and gone back in his cave, so no more pics for a while

 

[The-Wolf]

bump

 

[xingumike]

At a guess, Baryancistrus cf. niveatus as well. And from the pectoral growth i think a male

As previously stated definitely not Leporacanthicus, mouth is all wrong, might be worth trying the bods at PC

 

[MartinS]

After checking with The Wolf, I've posted his pics over at PC and the decision is a male L201, which is apparently not the same fish, being slightly smaller, than Hypancistrus contradens.
HTH
Martin

 

[dane261]

defo not a 201 as started above by mike and russell its what i think it is aswell





Dane

 

[MartinS]

defo not a 201 as started above by mike and russell its what i think it is aswell
Dane

I'm not sure if the spot colours are changeable in Baryancistrus? The images on PC are of fish with white spots, whereas the spot colour is variable with H.contradens/L201.
I've asked the question over at PC, so will see what they come back with.
[EDIT]
Well, it appears that it is unlikely to be Baryancistrus as "a 9-10 cm Baryancistrus is to small to develop long odontodes on its pectoral spines."
According to Yann, it is definitely L201.
[/EDIT]
Martin

 

[weisel]

it is a 201...have them both juvies and adults

 

[JenCliBee]

yep would have 2 agree with the above first look made me think 201

 

[MartinS]

After further advice, it is without dount NOT Baryancistrus as the mouth is not large enough for a Baryancistrus, but is correct, even without seeing the dentition, for Hypancistrus. According to Yann, L201 and H.contradens are now regarded as two different fish - L201 is a smaller fish, not as deep bodied with smaller spots. Hypancistrus contradens is formely known as L201 big spot Rio Ventuari.
HTH
Martin