Correct Identification for this pleco

[Joey1994]

Anyone know what type of pleco this one is?
I got it with the aquarium i bought.

Is it hypostomus plectomus?






I also have exactly the same one like this but a very small juvenile i think but only he is black with brown spots? Is it still the same species or is it yet another one then?
The suckermouth the tail and the head is exactly the same. Couldn't add a picture because he is shy.


Thank you in advance

[fat meloe!]

Hypostomus plecostomus is, according to the site, a very uncommonly sold fish. Most "H. plecostomus" are actually other plecos (such as

Pterygoplichthys pardalis

) that have been mis-labeled.

For identifying pardalis, both the belly pattern and the number of dorsal fin rays must be observed (see link). Since there is no dorsal fin in the pic, I suggest counting them yourself to save time.

Good luck with your fishes! P. pardalis grows to an immense size and must eventually be moved to an equally large tank in order to stay healthy, so I suggest you be careful of buying tanks with included fishes in the future, and to start making rehoming plans for the fast-growing pleco as soon as possible.

[Joey1994]

I only have 1 problem he never opens his dorsal fin its always shud and never open.

[Shane]

Clamped fins can mean many things, but usually indicates poor water quality. If a regime of water changes does not improve things then you need to check for a parasites.
-Sh

[Joey1994]

Yes i was suspecting this but my nitrates is below 20ppm and no ammonia or nitrite. I mean sometimes he does open it but only very infriquently when its daylight