melnick6003

I have been doing some research on plecos and have found the pet stores sell the common pleco but they also sell the BN as a common what is the difference. Are there size diffrences between the two? and how can you tell which one you have. I have a pleco and now am unsure what kind it is? If you could help that would be great!! One web site said that the bn has horns on its nose mine has this does this mean i have a bn?

mrsmuffin

There is a HUGE difference in size. Common plecos get up to 18" where BN plecos only grow to 4-6". Check out planetcatfish.com, they have tons of pics and info about the different species. You should be able to figure out what you have from there, or if you could post pics here, there are several members that might be able to help you identify him.

mathas

A mature male bristlenose will have growths on the head that look like this, which is where the name comes from. Don't worry as much about coloration, since there are many varieties of both bristlenose and common plecos.

Mrsmuffin is correct, there's a large difference in size between the two. She's also correct that posting a picture here if you can would remove any doubt.

melnick6003

he is always hiding but if he comes out i will try to get a pic

Barbrella

The "common" BN would most likely mean a Species 3, which is very hardy and easy to keep.

If yours has tentacles or bristles on top of it's snout, it's a male. THese bristles get longer and more plentiful as the fish matures. Young ones may have none on top of the snout, but will have little ones along the edge.