Salutations! Pleco type curiosity

[Stellah]

I have been visiting your site now for some time, and have always found my most informative answers on your site, so I thought it was time to sign up!

I recently acquired 2 plecos from a neighbor on Craigslist, and was wondering what type you folks think they are. I will do my best to attach pictures, but I'm new here, so please bare with me, and thank you for your time!

Pleco A- large- 1' has stripes on his back and the first two images are of him.

Pleco B- small +\- 5 inches with red/ orange tones on his fins, with the same lovely spots on the large one. This is the pleco picture with the pink plant. (Currently in my fry tank)

Pleco C-small +\- 4 inches with red rust color on his whole body, especially his fins. This is the photo of the pleco on the drift wood.

All are in good health, were quarantined, and are eating and swimming regularly. Please feel free to ask any other questions. Again, thank you so much for your time, and if this isn't posted int he right place, I'd be happy to take your advice on that as well. Thank you!!

 

[bribo12]

Hey there I am almost positive they are all commons, the last 2 are very nice looking though. I have seen commons with that reddish hue to them at my lfs.

 

[Stellah]

Thank you! I was looking them up, because the large one, has those beautiful stripes on his back, and the bright reds and oranges seemed unusual to me. Thanks for your response, and the compliment!

 

[Stellah]

Does anyone else have any thoughts? I could try to get some better pictures... Thank you. They just don't look like the pictures of commons I've seen online, and I know there are just so many different kinds..

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

I would also say commons, they get huge so be prepared

 

[aquandrew]

the pattern looks more like sailfin plecos

 

[Wiggles24]

I say commons. The last one mmight be sailfin but probably common

 

[meese-a-mew]

Leopard sailfins most likely.

 

[Canary bird]

Leopard sailfins most likely.

I agree, I think they could be leopard plecos .. Very beautiful BIG fish

 

[Bullnugget]

If they are commons, be ready. I had an albino common, he was 13" when I traded him. And the poop never stops!

 

[Stellah]

Thanks everyone! Yeah, I've already been using a small syphon every other day. Haha I might have to re home the big one- named Biggie Smalls. He came to me from a 20 gallon tank- whew! I can't imagine him having any room! And he had 2 in there! The 5" and the 12"!

At least he is happier now than he was.

I'm gonna attach some more pictures, thanks so much for your help!

 

[Stellah]

Thanks again friends!

 

[aquandrew]

first is a leopard sailfin and second is a common. the last one i am still unsure of, you might try sending a pm to surfer he's pretty good with pleco species

 

[Surfer]

first is a leopard sailfin and second is a common. the last one i am still unsure of, you might try sending a pm to surfer he's pretty good with pleco species

Aquandrew, thanks, you hit it on the nail.

The first is indeed a leopard sailfin or "gibbiceps." The second is a common as well as the third one. If there was a clear picture of the third one I could confirm it for sure but it doesn't look like anything special as of right now. Good luck with the plecos! As people have said before, they get very large so rehoming or upgrading will be in your future lol.

 

[Stellah]

I showed the pictures to a guy at my LFS, he's said the big one was a. Common (confirmed by you folks) and the red and orange tipped one could be a juvenile scarlet dragon pleco. He was in poor water conditions before he came to me, and he said that since these colors are just now developing, that he just might be. He also said these are rare? How're are are we talking? Or was he making stuff up?

Thanks so much for all of your advice!!!

 

[bribo12]

I showed the pictures to a guy at my LFS, he's said the big one was a. Common (confirmed by you folks) and the red and orange tipped one could be a juvenile scarlet dragon pleco. He was in poor water conditions before he came to me, and he said that since these colors are just now developing, that he just might be. He also said these are rare? How're are are we talking? Or was he making stuff up?

Thanks so much for all of your advice!!!

IMO making stuff up. It looks nothing like it and much more like a sailfin. Look up the scarlet dragon, they really don't look similar at all IMO.

 

[Stellah]

Now I'm just confused even more. He does NOT look like these

 

[Stellah]

But he does look like these. Offered me $50 for him. But if it is isn't it worth more than that? I'm really lost now. :/ I'll try to get better pictures in the morning. He gets more colorful every day it seems.

Before he came to me, he was in a 20 gallon (now my fry tank) with the massive 13"'er! And 2 ADF, And an oscar, AND and angel fish. Sheesh. I recently found out the angel is a blushing dusty blue angel, and she really is quite stunning, red eyes and everything,

 

[Surfer]

Can't wait to see those pics. 50$ is a steal IF it's one of those.

 

[Legit Fish]

2 and 3rd are sail fins, 1st and 4th are commons