Pleco Identification

[MissNoodle]

Male acquired!

[MissNoodle]

Gonna try to get more views of him as he settles

[Shane]

Put me down for some fry!
-Shane

[MissNoodle]

He has settled in, hes way less shy than the female is as well.

I have to say, I love the way the texture on the skin shines on these guys. Makes them almost look gilded with gold. They're "plain" at first appearance, but are subtly really beautiful plecos. Very happy I decided to pick them up.

My L240 doesn't seem bothered to have them in the same tank either, he sticks to his own area and they dont go near him. They prefer to stay on the driftwood, while my L240 likes his cave area.

[bekateen]

Looks great! Good luck with them.

Cheers, Eric

[Jools]

I've added these pictures, with a degree of discomfort, into the Ancistrus martini entry. The belly patterning bothers me - while patterning is sometimes initially emboldened in preserved fishes, much less so on soft skin.

I could add a note to these ones noting they are closer to the description of A. bodenhameri? Or go "full schultzi" and just split out the species. Would welcome a discussion.

Cheers,

Jools

[MissNoodle]

I've added these pictures, with a degree of discomfort, into the Ancistrus martini entry. The belly patterning bothers me - while patterning is sometimes initially emboldened in preserved fishes, much less so on soft skin.

I could add a note to these ones noting they are closer to the description of A. bodenhameri? Or go "full schultzi" and just split out the species. Would welcome a discussion.

Cheers,

Jools

If it helps, I have a new photo of the male on the glass, he's got some faint markings but hard to see.

[Jools]

That really does help, is that the same fish as the pic we used (perhaps that was the female)?

Jools

[Shane]

My own two cents is not to put them in as a known described sp. I would add them as Ancistrus sp # and note the trade name they were imported under and that they may be one of the described spp from that drainage but we can't make offer a definitive identification without verified provenience information.
-Shane

[MissNoodle]

That really does help, is that the same fish as the pic we used (perhaps that was the female)?

Jools

The other one was the female.

[MissNoodle]

My own two cents is not to put them in as a known described sp. I would add them as Ancistrus sp # and note the trade name they were imported under and that they may be one of the described spp from that drainage but we can't make offer a definitive identification without verified provenience information.
-Shane

That really does help, is that the same fish as the pic we used (perhaps that was the female)?

Jools

New photos.

This is the female underbelly. No markings on her

And the male. What's interesting is his blending colour change... on wood he's dark but on sand he gets reticulated spots on him.

And video of the female

[Fishmandavew]

Just one point to note, as I know it is happening here. Stores (and I accidentally) have found that if they breed male cirrhosis with female l044a it produces brown fish with a much stronger reticulated pattern. Just what we need, more bn types (not), although I am confident this is not what you have.

[Fishmandavew]

Apologies, put l044a meaning the blue eyed lemon we call l144a ( albeit not the original)

[MissNoodle]

Alright, digging this up, as they've been doing great. Probably my favorite ancistrus by far. They're just so docile compared to my cf cirrhosis lol very mild mannered fish, get along fantastic with my farlowella and l240 as well as the cories and Bolivian ram.

But, wanted to share updated photos. Female has not changed in appearance at all. Male, he's developed beautifully, he's got a really beautiful red-gold shine to him, and fine spotted fins when they're flared open. Even some red tones in the fins too.

Male:

Female:

Bekateen, do these compare to the fish you purchased as "bodenhameri"?

[Jools]

As a total aside, did you know there are now two species of Bolivian Ram, look for long caudal fin extensions and caudal peduncle shading for the new sp. Just got this in before anyone replies about the BN, so hope not interrupting the flow too much.

Cheers,

Jools

[MissNoodle]

As a total aside, did you know there are now two species of Bolivian Ram, look for long caudal fin extensions and caudal peduncle shading for the new sp. Just got this in before anyone replies about the BN, so hope not interrupting the flow too much.

Cheers,

Jools

Wasn't aware of this, no!

He's not the most cooperative fish for photos. Ironically he gets excited when he sees the phone so doesn't sit still. Does this cute little head shaking to my phone and my finger.

We had another, but this guy apparently didn't like them and it didn't end well. So stays solo, doesn't seem to mind.

[Jools]

Wasn't aware of this, no!
20221109_181645.jpg

I am not certain, as your fish maybe has a bit of growing to do, but I'm leaning towards you fish being the new species. Check out Mikrogeophagus maculicauda and Mikrogeophagus altispinosus.

Cheers,

Jools

PS Normal pl*co service can now resume.

[MissNoodle]

Male has been staking out caves, been kicking my L240 out of his cave, so I added lots more for them to pick from, and since he's staked claim to the smallest one and the female has also begun showing interest in him in the cave.

Photo of him stealing the old cave from my L240 lol

[MissNoodle]

And eggs.

[bekateen]

Excellent! Congratulations!

Cheers, Eric