Odontode size is generally seasonal in many Hypostominae and I assume most Loricariids, at least those who have large ones. But the common bristlenoses stopping might be a correlation, might just be coincidence. There are many factors that stop breeding, density does frequently get seen, I suspect n...

I think I understand what you are saying? Treating populations as isolated entities? I personally think that is a good idea, when it comes to individual populations individual populations can be as distinct genetically and morphologically as different species. In fish biology we don't really use sub...

I would say it most likely would work. Although my only hesitation would be the size of the common bristlenose, the blue eyed variant doesn't get quite as big as the normal browns or the albinos but it might just be most people haven't had theirs long enough yet. The common bristlenose, Ancistrus sp...

He's certainly not old. What are you feeding him? Anything faster feeding in the tank? The fact he is skinny is probably why he isn't spawning. When was the last time you wormed him and since have any new fish been introduced? I don't think worms is normally why a fish is skinny but worth asking.

I seem to remember there have been others but none have been caught alive. It's likely these fishes were only introduced during the summer, one really doesn't look in the greatest health either.

So sorry, Ancistrus can be a very challenging genus to keep. Once that skinny it really depends how long they have been like that. It's about getting anything in them but after that the healthy diet. I do suspect there might be a use in having them in with other related fishes who willingly feed if ...

I agree on the Hypancistrus sp. I don't think L471 can be identified from L201, the locality I don't think entirely matters unless this can be studied? I also don't know the geography that well. L471 definitely gets larger in size then original estimates, they aren't the dwarf they were sold as. I t...

This is more of a Hypostominae issue. The advice I'd give is firstly keep similarly sized species and individuals together. While as juveniles it might seem okay but as they mature for many territoriality increases but even more so their size, bulk and what damage they can do does increase. I have s...

I just noticed GBIF and Inaturalist were lacking a lot so I think it varies and honestly it seems in general you have to go direct. Several times I've tried locating specimens particularly and just ended up going to the museum catalog if they have one. Then for geographic data I do think there is mo...

I worked in one of the oldest MA stores and it hadn't renovated for since it opened so 30 years, those tanks many were standing till the eventual refit but some had to have various work on I was told just to stand. Some there was also a leak between tanks in a system. Another store I worked at defin...

Yes, it's a really black even when stressed with the white spots. Shame there weren't anymore but I assume it might be a fish that pops up occassionally.

Found something a little bit more uncommon. I believe it was imported as Ancistrus sp. from Brazil but this was the only oddity from the batch. I think Lasiancistrus sp. 'L033' but the spotter differs to me, and not sure that L number is truly different from L337 but L numbers being L numbers... For...

In my opinion there are a lot of variables when it comes to aquariums so it's difficult to make an estimate and apply. Quite a few things aren't accounted for and the values for water changes I personally think are a real underestimate to what the hobby actually does. The fish food estimates I'm not...

As a teenager I do remember the fishes gasping at the surface when using incense. Not sure there are any studies on it but I don't allow it or use it anywhere near the aquariums, or anything one might burn such as candles, smoking or any fumes such as aeresols. I find it easier to have the aquariums...

No idea if the images will work, been years (maybe over 10 since I've used a forum like this). Partially influenced by Shanes post and seen quite a few people in the past with pet plecos. I thought I'd introduce one of my fishes, she has no name I don't generally name things. I never really had them...

I've owned a pretty good sized individual, the only time I could measure the fish at maximum size was around 15cm SL but later grew I assume a little more. They can throw their weight around but I don't think they do as much as true Baryancistrus. Visualising footprint either the 90 or 120. Gives yo...

Diets in Loricariids are awfully patchy in the literature. Some we have to extreme detail e.g. Panaque/Panaqolus or detailed gut analysis e.g. Lasiancistrus caucanus. Otherwise it's often vague with generalisations of taxa so there is a level of ambiguity, it's not like some mammals where we can say...

There are three wormers, honestly I've never noticed any difference between them. Flubendazole, praziquantel and levamisole. Each does target particular different taxa of parasite but identifying which is causing issues is going to be challenging. Generally it's best to treat once then treat again a...

Honestly this part of the Hypostominae I hate sexing, it takes a combination of features I find and even I found with Baryancistrus demantoides (located as a sister to H. subvirdis in the phylogeny Roxo 2019 I think it was or Lujan 2015) seasonal differences at maturity. Which not often are they at ...

I'm kind of wanting clarity on the identity of this 'species', while their often listed as an sp. It's rather vague. The fish I have came from Peru as the others did and there seems to be no narrowing down to more specific localities. From research I was thinking Pterobunocephalus dolichurus, this s...