Identification help?

**ScottishFish** · 02-09-2012, 02:12 PM

So I got this pleco a week or so ago, sold under the name 'Gibby Plec' I know that there are a species of pleco with the scientific name starting gibbyer... But this doesn't really help me. I have had a google but there are too many types of pleco. He/she is around 3 inches big, kind brown coloured not as dark brown/black as common plecos, and has yellow/gold spots all over its body. I am a newbie to plecs so can you help? I have a picture on my phone but it won't let me upload it, it says that it is 1.06mb and the limit is 293kb . . . . Computer language!

**Goes to 11!** · 02-09-2012, 02:18 PM

You might be able to spot him here, It will take some digging though.

You could also see if http://www.irfanview.com/ works on your phone [I have no idea if its compatible or not - sorry.].

It's safe, free, and it works well to re size pics.

**Brhino** · 02-09-2012, 02:19 PM

sounds like a sailfin pleco, Pterygoplichthys* gibbiceps, maybe.

Pterygoplichthys can be identified by the number of rays in the dorsal fin. More than 10 indicates that it's a Pterygoplichthys. Most other plecos have 8 or fewer rays (in particular the larger Hypostomus species that are most likely to be confused with Pterygoplichthys).

- Planet Catfish

So, how many rays does it have?

*the community seems to be undecided on just what the genus name should be. I've seen Pterygoplichthys, Glyptoperichthys, and a few others.

**Goes to 11!** · 02-09-2012, 02:26 PM

Does it look like this?

**ScottishFish** · 02-09-2012, 02:47 PM

I never see the plec enough to count his rays, it likes to hide under a couple of pieces of bogwood I have. I reckon I've seen it about 3 times since I bought him/her.

And 850R I would love to say yeah but its more spotted gold than the kinda honeycomb in that pic! I appreciate the link and will have a good trawl through it when I have time. Cheers

**Goes to 11!** · 02-09-2012, 02:52 PM

Yeah no worries, Good luck man and try not to get distracted by all the other cool plec you will see while hunting your guy.

**ScottishFish** · 03-19-2012, 03:51 PM

Got a kinda clear pic of my pleco the other day, rays wise I counted 13-16 he wouldn't stay still, any help would still be appreciated!

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish...0&ppuser=38028

**KingFisher** · 03-19-2012, 04:05 PM

That's a
Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

or Gold Spot pleco, also known as a Gold Spot Gibbiceps

**ScottishFish** · 03-19-2012, 07:25 PM

The guy was selling it as a gibby plec, and it does have gold spots! Thanks a lot kingfisher! I'm on my phone the now and it is pretty slow, roughly how big do they get?