Who is this pleco?

[Familyfishny]

We got this pleco at a big box pet store, and are unsure of its species. Can you-all play the ID game with him/her? I am realizing the different species have different dietary and habitat needs, and want to make sure we are providing for them.

Thank you! We loved seeing all the awesome plecostomus folks have in the August fish of the month .

 

[Fishmanic]

It appears to be a female Bristenose Pleco. Females don't get large bristles. I have 2 of them in my 29 gallon tank. They each have their own territory on opposite sides of the tank.
Others may confirm this so wait for more members to pipe in.

 

[Colin_T]

The white edge to the tail and dorsal fin don't resemble a common bristlenose catfish.

Need to find a chart with the L numbers of suckermouth catfish.

 

[Familyfishny]

Maybe this un-numbered hybrid?

Ancistrus sp. hybrid(1) • Loricariidae • Cat-eLog

Images are copyright and may not be reproduced without permission of the copyright holder.

www.planetcatfish.com

 

[DoubleDutch]

Ancistrus cf cirrhosus is a crossbred of several species of Ancistrus and not occuring in the wild.

 

[Kyshiara]

It looks like both my bristlenoses!

 

[Familyfishny]

Bristlenose sounds good to me! Given the big box store sale point, my money is on the common bristlenose of questionable species and hybrid status. I’m just happy none of you are saying the white fin ends are fin rot! I’m very new to fish keeping and was worrying about that.

Thanks, everyone! I will try her on some fresh veggies and see if I can find some driftwood for her.

 

[Fishmanic]

Also feed an algae wafer 3 or 4 days a week.