How to ID pleco

[babygeige]

Does anyone know of a good place to look at some pictures of different kinds of pleco and get an idea of specific kind they are?

I'm adopting a few fish from a friend of the family. (See my adopting fish thread in the General Discussion board) One of them looks to be a pleco and he looks pretty much jet black from what I can tell through the algae-covered glass. If he's going to grow into a 12 inch monster, then I need to have a plan!

[kagome]

I like planetcatfish.com. I've provided a link to the pleco section. If you just hover your cursor over each name you will get a preview picture. If something looks close you can click on it and take a look at more pictures and a basic profile that includes sizes for all except the rarest of plecos. I've used it quite a number of times to id some of the more unusual plecos. Unfortunately, more than likely it is a common pleco and will get pretty darn huge over time. The species of 'fancy' plecos usually cost more and since people don't realize how huge they get they just buy the commons.

www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/family.php?family_id=4

[babygeige]

If it's a common pleco, I'm in trouble!
I can't keep one of those in a 30! I don't even like plecos, to be honest. My grandma had one in her tank years ago and it was giant and always stuck to the front of the tank. It really grossed me out every time I went to her house. I think they are quite ugly. Well, i guess there are some that aren't too bad... but I don't have high hopes for this one.

I'm going to try to get a better pic today. There are a lot of possible matches on that link you gave me. Thanks for the help, Kagome!

[Carl]

I could not see very well from the picture, but he does appear to be what many call the common plecostumus as Kagome noted, but more specifically known as the Trinidad Plecostumus in the Aquarium Industry/shippers.

Another reason to identify this plecostumus as a Trinidad/Common is that well over 75% of Plecostumus sold at most common fish stores are these variety. You only find the more unusual varieties at specialty aquarium stores.
To further this point, I will give this example; Poseidon Aquatics is one of the largest wholesalers importers of tropical fish and they mostly sell to well known outlets such as PetCo and even Walmart; when you as a buyer at PetCo or elsewhere order a "Plecostumus" from this company, a Trinidad is what you get




Carl

[babygeige]

I posted a picture of him on my other thread. I still have the link copied, so here it is again.
When/if I get this tank cleaned up better, I'll try to get another more accurate shot of him.


He's too big for my 30 gallon.

[fishfever]

This site has lots of fish pics with their scientific names but no real info on the fish other than the name; but it's a good place to ID the fish and then go somewhere else to find out more about the fish:

www.jjphoto.dk/introa-fish.htm