Brown Ancistrus Female Identification

[Casscats]

A friend of mine asked if I could sex their friend's bristlenose, which I deemed female, but what struck me odd is that it lacks the typical markings I'd expect on a domestic? There is no tail banding, but faint dorsal banding along with a white tip to the 1st dorsal ray. Body markings lack fine spots and seem to be more of a large blurry mottling instead. The head shape also feels a little off to me.

I cannot pinpoint an exact lookalike in the cat e log, so figured I would ask for input. It may even be a hybrid for all I know.

[bekateen]

Hi Casscats,

Yes that is an odd individual. It looks pretty small too. If it had a banded tail, I would think it's similar to the Ancistrus aff. bodenhameri I have, but my fish have clearly banded tails.

Not sure what to tell you as for an ID. Maybe someone else will know. @Acanthicus?

Cheers,
Eric

[Casscats]

Hi Casscats,

Yes that is an odd individual. It looks pretty small too. If it had a banded tail, I would think it's similar to the Ancistrus aff. bodenhameri I have, but my fish have clearly banded tails.

Not sure what to tell you as for an ID. Maybe someone else will know. @Acanthicus?

Cheers,
Eric

Got some new photos, including better showing of the tail! Definitely barring and white-tipped too.