Pleco ID (Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus?)

[Sidrock]

Hi guys,

This person wants to sell his plecos (along with most fish from his tank including the baby Silver Aro) seem in the video below.

He has stated his plecos are: Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus

Can someone confirm if this ID is correct? (And are these fish any good?)

Video of the Seller's tank:

[YT]QGJP6HpI1LQ[/YT]

Thank you,
Sid

 

[Jackson]

Good in what way?

Looks like one of the few types imported as common plecos.

They get huge.

 

[jclyde13]

That isn't exactly the best vid to ID from, but from what I could tell, they looked to be P. pardalis, not multiradiatus.

 

[Warborg]

The video doesn't give much information. They do appear to be Pterygoplichthys. the problem is they could be: P. disjunctivus, P. pardalis, or yes even P. multiradiatus.

P. multiradiatus are rarely seen so they are most likely a P. disjunctivus or a P. pardalis.

A belly shot is needed to ID them.

P. disjunctivus - Has wavy lines on it's belly
P. pardalis - Has a circle like pattern on it's belly.
P. multiradiatus - Has broken circle like pattern(hollow circles).

Side note: In the 90's P. pardalis was classed under P. multiradiatus which may have added to the seller's confusion.

 

[Sidrock]

Thanks guys.

I will try to get a better video or pics from the seller.

Good in what way?

Well, in terms of health. (Is it stunted or ill etc?). The tank set-up is a bit..crowded.

Thanks,
Sid

 

[Ianab]

Well, in terms of health. (Is it stunted or ill etc?). The tank set-up is a bit..crowded.

They look healthy enough. They are pretty hardy, and will be the last ones to get stunted in an overcrowded tank. If the Aro is doing OK in there, conditions will be plenty good enough for a pleco.

Of course those big fat poop machine plecos is the main reason the tank is overcrowded.

A good guide to their general health is to look at their belly. A healthy well fed pleco should have a slight bulge to it's belly. If the belly is sunken, then it's either sick or underfed.

Ian