Ok...This was an unlabeled "pl3co" at my localy owned LFS (the owner tends to order "odd" stuff"

I hand caught the fish out of the tank at the store (I've had bad experiences with nets and catfish), and it has some impressive spines it can shoot from under it's operculum...I assume (and I'm probably wrong) that this means it is an Ancistrus species...(only because all my other BN plecos had these "spines" they could extend when threatened)

Let me know what pics of what parts would be helpful in identification...here's a few I snapped this evening (I didn't want to disturb him too much since he's "new" to the tank)

Bet that felt good! Usually when I net my plecos the stiffen up while in the net, and then when back in the water the release and swim away. I always make sure it's going to be a quick transfer. So they don't have time to thrash around and snap fins. As far as id goes I'd have to say your dealing with a variation of gold nuggett. Look at this thread there are tons of variations.

Gold nuggett

Changed my mind looks more like a L041. Check out the pic. in the middle. The spines on his operculum are wicked.

L041

Struth! i had no idea that plecos had spines! i'll have to be careful when i get mine :whistle:

Nice looking pleco Seedy.

Thanks for the compliments, only a few select genera of plecos have those spines...usually those with "Ancistrus" in their name have them...

Too many spines on that one...this one has only 3 or 4 "points" on each side...

I believe we are looking at a Hopliancistrus species.

do these spines have any kind of sting like venom or something?
I talking like and ant bite or something...

Yikes!! :blink: Them spines look painful!! Awesome pleco however...:D

Great question...I'm currently checking on that...These spines are so specialized looking...they seem like a really odd adaptation and I suppose anythings possible as I have heard many reports of catfish with bacteria ridden/toxic/poisonous slime coats...I've "sorta" been stuck by my bristle nose (Ancistrus sp) plecos before, but it didn't seem to break the skin...

Well...I was hoping for a better pic, but this shot with my hand in focus (not the darn fish!)...I'm really gonna kick myself if I just stressed him out too much, but I had to get an image of these things!

Holy Shit, Ive never seen anything like that!
I thought you were talking about pectoral spines like bullheads have.

All I can tell you about the spines is that if you get poked watch the hole for infection.

:drunk: heheh...I made Dorothy cuss....hehehehe

:laugh: :moon:

:laugh: you just for science, you should have stuck yourself and seen what happens! :laugh:

like on wildboys! :laugh:

Who said I didn't get stuck?

Oh yeah...these are clearly here for selfdefence...it got me once, lightly...didn't break the skin..

hmmm, maybe you SHOULD break the skin :whistle:

No venom...but definently used for fighting and/or self defense...

..Kinda like packing an M16 under your Speedo :laugh: :gun: :guns: :guns:

:laugh: so did you make him STICK YA!?

Could be an L-182 Starry Light Bristlenose

Reminds me of an L030 peppermint pleco, can i get a snap of his dorsal fin up?

Those spines serve several purpsoses, self defense, squaring off against other mail plecs (yours is male, females spines arent as pronounced) and thirdly they can use them like cats whiskers to see if they can fit through a tight spot when their fins clamp, if the whiskers brush the hole isnt wide enough and they simply reverse out of the hole before they get stuck, in theory of course