Common Pleco Variations? - Aquarium Advice

**Devilishturtles** · 07-21-2004, 12:46 AM

Are there color variations to the common pleco? I was in need of a second for my 55 [acronym:a789801d02="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a789801d02], and while going to buy one, I noticed an oddly colored pleco in the tank of commons. It is a lighter brown color, with even lighter brown stripes. It also seems to have a "sailfin", or a dorsal fin that fans out more than a normal common pleco. The picture attached is a little unclear, but you can just make out color of the pleco if your screen contrast is a little darker (atleast on my computer). I will try and take better pics tommorow or tonight.

Turn out the lights in the room, the picture is much clearer, lol.

Is this a common pleco? I've looked everywhere to find out what this is, and no luck so far. Thanks!

krap101 · 07-21-2004, 01:32 AM

to me it looks like a female bristlenose. but somethings different about it

Keeper · 07-21-2004, 02:02 AM

Looks like a Gibbiceps Sailfin(L-83)!!! How big is that one because mine(the fiancees) looks identical at about 4 1/2 inches!!

**Devilishturtles** · 07-21-2004, 02:06 AM

Eh....it's about *whips out a ruler*...3 1/2 - 4 inches long.

I'm going to look that up, thanks bunches keeper. Let you know if it is the same!

**Devilishturtles** · 07-21-2004, 02:15 AM

Nope, not the Gibbiceps Sailfin (L-83). Mine is not spotted. Very much solid colored, just very light brown.

*crosses fingers*

What if I have some exotic creature that I'm going to discover, and name... ?!?!

"Plecstomus Lindsayus" I can here it now

**Devilishturtles** · 07-21-2004, 11:11 AM

Ok, I was checking it out last night, and it is spotted. Just not all the time. When I looked at it this morning, the color was much darker with no spots. So, I guess it could be a variation of the Gibbiceps Sailfin?? Perhaps a female? Every picture I have seen of the Gibbiceps shows them to be very much darker than mine is.

Anyone have any idea? I will try and get a better picture later today.

tbonem91 · 07-21-2004, 11:53 AM

plecos do change color and intensity depending on mood and their surroundings - my 9" common has gone from solid dark brown to solid tan to white with black spots - quite a variation indeed

but he is mostly a drab dk brown with lt brown spots

edit: the 9 incher isnt in my profile cause he isnt in my tank - he's in my roommate's

**Devilishturtles** · 07-21-2004, 11:57 AM

Ok, just went and took some new pictures, and here is what I have. Still not the best, but better than nothing.

The spots show up much more prominent in these pictures, but they aren't there all the time...weird. Thanks for looking.

webmoose · 07-21-2004, 12:15 PM

Oh no the Pleco is surrounded by Albino Cories!!!!!

(sorry had to post this)

Doesn't look like a female bristlenose to me..

Menagerie · 07-21-2004, 01:58 PM

Commons are funny that way. I was at a [acronym:6c6842955e="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:6c6842955e] and saw a gorgeous pleco and asked about it--"just a common." Oh well, it was nice looking. Am I correct in saying that you have two common plecos that have the potential to reach well over a foot long in the 55 [acronym:6c6842955e="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:6c6842955e] tank??

07-21-2004, 01:32 AM	#2
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	to me it looks like a female bristlenose. but somethings different about it __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

07-21-2004, 02:02 AM	#3
Keeper Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere in the tank Posts: 464	Looks like a Gibbiceps Sailfin(L-83)!!! How big is that one because mine(the fiancees) looks identical at about 4 1/2 inches!! __________________ "Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough but not baked in the same oven." "Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?" Edgar Bergen (1903 - 197

07-21-2004, 12:15 PM	#9
webmoose Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 1,508 Images: 7	Oh no the Pleco is surrounded by Albino Cories!!!!! (sorry had to post this) Doesn't look like a female bristlenose to me.. __________________ 58 gallon Community Planted - 4 boesmani / 1 praecox rainbow, 3 giant danios, 1 clown / 1 albino pl*co, 1 bronze / 2 albino cories, cherry barbs, sunset platy's, cardinal tetras 8 Gallon hex - 3 F1 Black Brichardi and fry..("Lamprologus sp. Walter") 10 gallon work tank - Pair of dwarf gourami and 2 cherry barbs / 2 gallon - 4 Fundulopanchax gardneri / 10 gallon - bunch of killitanks Vote Here for Aquarium Advice

07-21-2004, 01:58 PM	#10
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,266 Images: 77	Commons are funny that way. I was at a [acronym:6c6842955e="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:6c6842955e] and saw a gorgeous pleco and asked about it--"just a common." Oh well, it was nice looking. Am I correct in saying that you have two common plecos that have the potential to reach well over a foot long in the 55 [acronym:6c6842955e="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:6c6842955e] tank?? __________________

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07-21-2004, 11:53 AM	#7
tbonem91 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA Posts: 569 Images: 21	plecos do change color and intensity depending on mood and their surroundings - my 9" common has gone from solid dark brown to solid tan to white with black spots - quite a variation indeed but he is mostly a drab dk brown with lt brown spots edit: the 9 incher isnt in my profile cause he isnt in my tank - he's in my roommate's

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