inspector monkey

Hi,

Not a lot of expansion I can give on the title really. I'd just like to know how old bristlenose plecs are when they start to grow bristles.

My LFS has what is just labled as plecos. They are about 2 inches and have very goggley eyes and what looks like tiny spikes between their eyes. They are a very light brown colour and I think have about 13 rays in the dorsal fin. I wondered if you'd think they'd be bristlenose or something alot bigger i.e. rhino pleco.

Am I right in thinking the more rays the bigger the plec?

Thannks in advance, and sorry for sounding so stupid.

Amanda

They usually have little tiny beginnings of bristles as younger plecs.
The ones you're describing sound like commons, they tend to have the horns.

jack--sos

they could have been the breathing tubes (i guess bristlenose plecs have them too) but i have read that they start to develop their bristles at around 3 inches

Butterfly

Males will get bristles on their nose and up between the eyes from 2-3 inches depending on the bristlenose. Some females get bristles also but only across the top lip they will be real fine looking to begin with.
Carol

FoxyGrandpa

very small ones

mathas

If you counted that many dorsal rays, it wasn't a bristlenose. In general, more than 8-10 rays indicates a member of the Pterygoplichthys genus, while the bristlenose plecos belong to Ancistrus.

Not quite. Most of the Pterygoplichthys species get fairly large, but that doesn't mean a pleco from a different genus with fewer dorsal rays can't get just as large or larger. So if you were comparing two juveniles, just because one has more dorsal rays doesn't necessarily mean it will be the larger adult fish.

Butterfly

Mathas I missed the ray count completely. Good catch.

agabr123

i'd print a few different pictures of BN plecos and common plecos and bring them with you into the store to compare

Butterfly

Bristlenose usually have a very broad blunt snout/head and smooth unless they have bristles. Their mouth is even a little different. Hope that helps
Carol

Attached Images

	bristles closeup gs.jpg (68.8 KB, 15 views)
	dad in cave.jpg (60.5 KB, 14 views)

inspector monkey

WOW
Thanks every one. I'm more or less convinced now that they are not bristlenoses of any speices. Think we'll leave them safely in the shop!!!

Butterfly

Excellent choice. I would still love to know what they are
Carol