FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Just wondering....

Yes! Some have them all over their body. Most plecos have spines behind their gills that they use for breeding and territory. Some are harmless, others can turn your hand red

Of course. As in many families of catfish, the dorsal fins and pectoral fins have a large leading spine. In catfish that possess these spines, the spines serve in territorial disputes as well as defense; if a catfish is swallowed, the spines can really hurt. In fact, the catfish can stop their movement down the esophagus and be spat right back out, though quite painfully for the predator (think porcupine puffer). Some catfish also use such spines to lock themselves into place like Triggerfish. In many species of catfish they are quite sharp. However, in many plecs they might not look as sharp; however, a large plec can inflict serious damage with this. And I mean serious. Very large gashes can be made by plecs with these spines.

As mentioned, many plec species also have hair-like spines called odontodes. These are commonly before the gills and can sometimes be extended outwards. Some plecs also have odontodes all over their body. It makes these species extremely uncomfortable to hold; sort of like a wooly bear caterpillar if you're familiar with them. Some odontodes can also be used in disputes between fish.\

Last edited by metagon at 10-Oct-2005 11:29

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Yes, they do have sharp spines on them...depending on the fish depends on where these spines and how many of these spines the fish have.

Hint of advice if you are going to try and bag up a pleco and take him anywhere, you are either going to need several baggies and extra water, or you should go ahead and put him in some sort of plastic container that he can't put holes intake it from experience, the LFS is only 20 mins away, and my big boy went through 6 ziplocks, and a gallon of water

heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

The density of odontodes varies with species.

hey...clowns,yoyos,orange fin loaches hv spines under their eye...how about hillstream loaches?and btw...plecos do hv a very nasty spine

Do BN have these type of spines?.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buzaqq/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

not at the eye..of course...just the fins..

I don't think any hillstream loaches have spines. Technically they aren't plecos or loaches.