PlanetCatfish.com

I recently bought 9 2.5" hypancistrus from a friend who was downsizing his collection. They were originally bought from Atlantis Hatchery as L260 queens, but I'm not so sure that's what all of them are.

I have a colony of adults, but some of these look to have finer stripes. Is that how young queens look? Here are some not-so-good-pics...thanks for the help! (and please ignore the fluorescent pagodas - I tip them sideways for caves.).






there are a few more I couldn't get pics of - but they look closest to the last fish.

Picture 1, 2 and 5 is L411 Hypancistrus sp Monte Dourado, the other pictures is impossible to see what species it is.

Janne

nuts - that's what I thought. the ones where it's impossible to tell are the ones that look most like L411. so I guess I don't have any queens at all.

I guess it's not worth growing them out to add to the L260 colony then!

thanks for the ID!

I have never seen pictures of L411. Where would I go to learn more about them?

thanks,

The Cat-eLog has

thanks,

What should I look at to tell a Monte Dourado from an L-260? To me they look pretty much identical...

Essentially the L260 has a "more contrasty pattern". I think Monte dourado also grows slightly bigger - but as usual, that's only useful on older individuals.

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Mats

L260 has much more distinctive pattern and the wormline pattern is different too.


L411 as young can look quite similar with L260 but notice the finer wormline pattern...


...but as adult their pattern change a lot, also the bodyshape gets more heavier compared to L260.


Janne

I have updated the L411 page with some text on the difference. Should be up there in a few days, Jools willing.

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Mats

I think you may also have a few L333 in your collection based on one of the photos; # 4.

I don't think pic 4 is L333 but I think that can be a L260 hiding in that cave, but another picture is needed.

Janne

I agree that he looks close. Unfortunately, I traded the group to the LFS for credit on true adult 260's when they come in. I figured it's not worth the risk of hybridization.

In the store, however, he does look different than 260's. There's a tank full of similar sized juvi queens that have a definitely different contasting pattern. The black is blacker and the white is whiter, if that makes sense.