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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| What kind of fish is this??
Hey guys, i just got started with this hobby, and I am completely new to it all so bear with me!
I just got a funky looking fish for my 10g tank but I have no idea what it is! My LFS told me it was a type of algae eater, and it is relatively small at the moment.
I really just want to know what kind of fish it is and if it will outgrow my tank! Thank you fish gurus!  | 
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| That is a common pleco.
It needs a 75+ gal. as an adult, where it will reach 24 in.
They also have an enourmous bio-load. | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| haha great..i was hoping it would not be a huge fish, I am not planning an upgrade anytime soon so i may have to give him back... | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Giving him back is probably the best option.
Plecos aren't really good for very small tanks. | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Nice! Looks like Rineloricaria Sp (whiptail Cat, algae eater). If it is , should stay around 4-5" and thin, narrow body.
Also look at Farlowella (twig cat, also algae eater), another nice small but long fish. Dont give it back!!!! Rather Enjoy! | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| thanks for your help! I really wanted a cool fish that would just chill on the bottom but I guess I will have to look elsewhere! | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by SurfCityFish  thanks for your help! I really wanted a cool fish that would just chill on the bottom but I guess I will have to look elsewhere! | No, could keep it even if pleco, check to see how big they get. Not all pleco gets that big.. check my posting and google for more info. | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by cerianthus Nice! Looks like Rineloricaria Sp (whiptail Cat, algae eater). If it is , should stay around 4-5" and thin, narrow body.
Also look at Farlowella (twig cat, also algae eater), another nice small but long fish. Dont give it back!!!! Rather Enjoy! | it has a bunch of spots on it, it almost looks like a leopard actually, which I really like. But i am afraid it will outgrow the tank... | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by cerianthus Nice! Looks like Rineloricaria Sp (whiptail Cat, algae eater). If it is , should stay around 4-5" and thin, narrow body.
Also look at Farlowella (twig cat, also algae eater), another nice small but long fish. Dont give it back!!!! Rather Enjoy! | No it isn't, it's a Common Pleco like Amanda said and will get WAY too big for your tank. | 
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by cerianthus Nice! Looks like Rineloricaria Sp (whiptail Cat, algae eater). If it is , should stay around 4-5" and thin, narrow body.
Also look at Farlowella (twig cat, also algae eater), another nice small but long fish. Dont give it back!!!! Rather Enjoy! | I'd have to disagree. A farlowella is very thin, this pleco is thicker. Also has the markings of a common. | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Excellent find! I have never seen a common Pleco with such a nice shade of brown with spots. The common ones I have had were always gray. I had 1 in my 20 GA 35 years ago and it seemed to take forever for it to grow. I plan on getting a bigger tank for the on I have now which is the same size but you should have no problem returning or finding him a home. Personally I think Molly's pound for pound are way bigger poo machines then Plecos. But that my opinion. Hope it all works out for you. | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Plecos are very high waste producers, and keeping him in a 10 gal. will stunt his growth. | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by CWO4GUNNER Excellent find! I have never seen a common Pleco with such a nice shade of brown. The common ones I have had were always gray. I had 1 in my 20 GA 35 years ago and it seemed to take forever for it to grow. I plan on getting a bigger tank for the on I have now which is the same size but you should have no problem returning or finding him a home. Personally I think Molly's pound for pound are way bigger poo machines then Plecos. But that my opinion | thanks! to be honest the guy working at the store said this would be a good fish, so I (being the fish newbie) took it! I really like looking at all of its sweet spots! | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| welcome to fishlore!!!!!!!!
can you get another pic of him? he looks like a chocolate, (which is another common just different color) or some other color version...his markings are deffinately brighter than most commons but his shape and size is like a common... | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Woops. thought had long tail. now with my reading glass on, looks more like Ancistrus or Peckotia Sp. If it is, may top out at 5-6" max, may take a while. It is up to you but it's very cool patterned specimen. And also many plecos do look alike and may show different color/pattern depending on mood/water conditions, thus should keep and try to ID (another fun part of fish keeping) then could decide. You can always swap for other small cool looking pleco later. I dont know how much it cost you but very pretty though!
If possible to obtain AQUALOG's BOOK on LORICARIIDAE, should be able to ID.
If these were sold at as common pleco at low price, would not hesitate to grab few of them. lfs and you have done excellent job (optimal water condition) for fish to display such bright, disticnt colors/patterns out of common pleco, that is if common..
Last edited by cerianthus; February 27th, 2009 at 05:14 PM.
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| I really wouldn't keep any type of pleco in a 10 gal. | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie welcome to fishlore!!!!!!!!
can you get another pic of him? he looks like a chocolate, (which is another common just different color) or some other color version...his markings are deffinately brighter than most commons but his shape and size is like a common... | i could get another pic, but it may look alot like the other one! he really enjoys the pirate ship i have in the tank and wont really move from there! | |
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February 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by cerianthus Woops. thought had long tail. now with my reading glass on, looks more like Ancistrus or Peckotia Sp. If it is, may top out at 5-6" max, may take a while. It is up to you but it's very cool patterned specimen. And also many plecos do look alike and may show different color/pattern depending on mood/water conditions, thus should keep and try to ID (another fun part of fish keeping) then could decide. You can always swap for other small cool looking pleco later. I dont know how much it cost you but very pretty though!
If possible to obtain AQUALOG's BOOK on LORICARIIDAE, should be able to ID.
If these were sold at as common pleco at low price, would not hesitate to grab few of them. lfs and you have done excellent job (optimal water condition) for fish to display such bright, disticnt colors/patterns out of common pleco, that is if common.. | he cost me 4.99, I thought that wasnt too bad? but yeah i love the coloring to him! here is another picture of his full body!  | |
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