New guy here seeking some help

[eleven]

First off, I just want to send greetings to everyone. This is my first post and I was hoping to make some friends and gain more knowledge.

Here's the story. I purchased a pleco about a week ago from a guy in my town, and it was sold to me as an L155. This pleco is approx 8 to 9 inches from head to tail. My question is, how can I differentiate hystrix and adonis? I've tried to find info on the net, but there was really nothing. I can tell you that I can't see any spots which are common in juvenile adonis, and this fish is black in coloration. Also, I know it's acanthicus because there is no adipose fin.

Thanks in advance!

[Edmundo]

Firstly, welcome abroad.

Secondly, work best with pics......... :)

[michael lai]

Hi eleven,
My own experience is that adonis when young as you already know comes with the spots, besides that I've observed that hystrix has a thicker body and tail than adonis( very prominent when they around 3-5 inches ). The lyretail is also not as prominent as adonis. Eg: adonis tail is like juvenile tigrinus whereas hystrix is like platies or mollies. Hystrix's colouration also tend to be more black than adonis. Btw I've never come across a adonis that is spotless when they are young, also the body disposition changes when the fishes are about 5-7 inches in size whereby the hystrix will morph into a adonis lookalike. lean and mean and not short and fat. I hope this helps...welcome to the club;)

[Edmundo]

Hi eleven,
My own experience is that adonis when young as you already know comes with the spots, besides that I've observed that hystrix has a thicker body and tail than adonis( very prominent when they around 3-5 inches ). The lyretail is also not as prominent as adonis. Eg: adonis tail is like juvenile tigrinus whereas hystrix is like platies or mollies. Hystrix's colouration also tend to be more black than adonis. Btw I've never come across a adonis that is spotless when they are young, also the body disposition changes when the fishes are about 5-7 inches in size whereby the hystrix will morph into a adonis lookalike. lean and mean and not short and fat. I hope this helps...welcome to the club;)

Was told, if tat fellow is spotless in juv stage, likely to be acanthicus hystrix..... :)

[michael lai]

Yup and likely to be jet black too.

[eleven]

Here's a picture, as requested by edmundo, and I'll let you guys be the judge.

I had to throw in that last picture of my fat guy! Hope you guys like it!

[SoToNgMaN]

pic 1-4 all same fish or ???

[eleven]

1 to 3 is the same fish. The last pleco is my L160.

[akoh]

It is a hystrix :)

[Edmundo]

Iz a big and nice hystrix................ ur L160 is also nice........... :)

[eleven]

Thanks guys, I was leaning more towards hystrix.