Random thought on commercial Pleco breeding

[chromedome52]

I have been seeing photos lately of Sailfin Plecos that don't exactly fit known species. Most of the "Common" Sailfin plecos are pond bred in Florida, and this got me thinking. I wonder if some of these ponds might have more than one species in them, perhaps accidentally mixing similar types? And if this happens, is it conceivable that some of the fish in the hobby are the result of unintended hybridization? This would go a long way to explaining some of the photos I see of supposed "Common" Plecos that don't match easily to identifiable species.

OTOH, it might also be possible that the pond bred fish are evolving into a different color pattern because of the different environment. At what point does one consider this a unique variant?

I think maybe I have too much time to think about ridiculous things.

 

[AsShrimpleAsThat]

Guess what I'm boutta do.... yep that's right Fishfur

 

[StarGirl]

I guess it is possible for them to be mix breeding. It would probably only take one Male in a pond to start making mixed babies. If they would breed together.

Giant Common Sailfin Mutt Plecos?

 

[SparkyJones]

Plecos grow like weeds in florida in the wild they get eaten when young but after that, that's about it, no realy pradators and they are reproducing. I don't think a pond situation could guarantee no other species would enter the pond, I've found a baby pleco in my pool dropped by a bird that visited I assume so they get around.

So, possible. And probably probable if the can cross and hybridize that they will. If I want a common pleco (which I don't anymore) I don't buy one I just go and net one from the canal down the street.
Also most likely why they all call it a "common pleco" it's most likely a genetic "mutt", like "assorted African cichlids" or "assorted angelfish". Nobody knows which species they might be exactly because they got a few species in them.

I also don't think these people care other than it being a pleco to sell to someone. I think sailfins readily hybridize, with vermiculated with enough room and structures to breed.

But I'd also say that a lot of the L number plecos cataloged are geographical variants and not necessarily a different species.
I'd say the most common down here, the ones breeding like weeds are the Orinoco and Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish, and then the "common" Hypostomus plecostomus.
Might be some crossing between Orinoco and vermics....

Down here they are all just "plecos" in the wild. And the reality is because of the pet trade literally anything could turn up anywhere so if it could hybridize, it probably would.

 

[A201]

I've seen TV video footage of numerous big murky, mud bottom, breeding ponds from various Florida hatcheries.

Unless drastic actions are taken by the management to totally regulate the stock, there's so much potential for hybridization.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

I've seen TV video footage of numerous big murky, mud bottom, breeding ponds from various Florida hatcheries.

Unless drastic actions are taken by the management to totally regulate the stock, there's so much potential for hybridization.

I like the company turning them into dog chews. I have some heavy chewers lol