Looks kinda like a stargazer but I've never seen one that dark color before.
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Sure looks like a plecostamus to me. Eats a ton of algae! Used in freshwater aquariums to keep tank algae free, and that it does extremely well. Did you let it go or eat it? Or put it in your aquarium at home?
Scott
Scott
Rusty, I raised tropical fish for 19 years and I agree with you. That LOOKS like a "PLECO" (that's what we called 'em for short) You normally see then "suckered" to the side of the aquarium and your typical view of them is from their belly ie the first pic.
I just have a couple of questions, How big was it, there is nothing else in the picture for scale. I have had them gro to 8 or 9 inches long in some of my larger tanks, although that is uncommon. ALso, I am not aware of a saltwater variety of this critter. I guess I'm revealin' my ignorance here but is Calaveras fresh or salt water.
Just thought of one more thing. You say you caught it trolling, did you foul-hook it or did it actually bite your hook. Plecos eat algae and I've seen 'em graze on dead fish in the bottom of the tank but I can't see them getting after a moving bait.
I just have a couple of questions, How big was it, there is nothing else in the picture for scale. I have had them gro to 8 or 9 inches long in some of my larger tanks, although that is uncommon. ALso, I am not aware of a saltwater variety of this critter. I guess I'm revealin' my ignorance here but is Calaveras fresh or salt water.
Just thought of one more thing. You say you caught it trolling, did you foul-hook it or did it actually bite your hook. Plecos eat algae and I've seen 'em graze on dead fish in the bottom of the tank but I can't see them getting after a moving bait.
Dang. I thought ony Jack caught stuff like that.....LOL
Jack!!Walkin' Jack said:Rusty, I raised tropical fish for 19 years and I agree with you. That LOOKS like a "PLECO" (that's what we called 'em for short) You normally see then "suckered" to the side of the aquarium and your typical view of them is from their belly ie the first pic.
I just have a couple of questions, How big was it, there is nothing else in the picture for scale. I have had them gro to 8 or 9 inches long in some of my larger tanks, although that is uncommon. ALso, I am not aware of a saltwater variety of this critter. I guess I'm revealin' my ignorance here but is Calaveras fresh or salt water.
Just thought of one more thing. You say you caught it trolling, did you foul-hook it or did it actually bite your hook. Plecos eat algae and I've seen 'em graze on dead fish in the bottom of the tank but I can't see them getting after a moving bait.
15 inches long~~~~~Snaged!
Jack!!Walkin' Jack said:Rusty, I raised tropical fish for 19 years and I agree with you. That LOOKS like a "PLECO" (that's what we called 'em for short) You normally see then "suckered" to the side of the aquarium and your typical view of them is from their belly ie the first pic.
I just have a couple of questions, How big was it, there is nothing else in the picture for scale. I have had them gro to 8 or 9 inches long in some of my larger tanks, although that is uncommon. ALso, I am not aware of a saltwater variety of this critter. I guess I'm revealin' my ignorance here but is Calaveras fresh or salt water.
Just thought of one more thing. You say you caught it trolling, did you foul-hook it or did it actually bite your hook. Plecos eat algae and I've seen 'em graze on dead fish in the bottom of the tank but I can't see them getting after a moving bait.
15 inches long~~~~~Snaged!
Barney
I think that is a plecassamus (sp)..
that was probably a pet at one time - that's the biggest dam plex I have ever seen!
that was probably a pet at one time - that's the biggest dam plex I have ever seen!
Eh, I've seen them larger, almost two feet is the largest I've seen. It is indeed a "pleco", as its referred to because of its former scientific name. They are establisted is a few of our waterways here in Texas. They are a very hardy family of fish for the most part. And though saltwater or even brackish water is not their native habitat, it is possible for them to live and even thrive in such conditions. For more info on them, do a search on "Hypostomus plecostomus".
Juan
Juan
Definately a Plecostamus...they're VERY common in the St.John's River in Fla...and yes,they do become large in the right environment.BUT...don't we all?
"Snow king pleco"
The previous identification by others of this being a plecostomus are correct. It looks to be the species Pterygophichthys anisitsi, a species referred to as a snow king pleco in the aquarium trade. These fish are just one of several exotic species that are becoming established in the wild after having been released by uninformed hobbyists. We are currently working on a project to identify non-indigenous species in tidal bayous of Galveston Bay. Other species known to inhabit these bayous include red-bellied pacu (a member of the piranha family though without the nasty reputation), several species of tilapia, Rio Grande cichlids (native to Texas but now established outside its' native range), Chinese grass carp (used to control exotic vegetation such as hydrilla and Eurasian watermilfoil but will readily consume native plants) and channeled apple snails (large snail native to Central and South America that has decimated rice fields in Asia when it was introduced there).
Several live prohibited species have been confiscated at grocery stores and aquarium stores by TPWD Law Enforcement including snakeheads, Asian swamp eels, Pacific oysters, and parasitic catfish. The marketing of non-indigenous species such as these is increasing and the potential for catastrophic consequences, should some of these species be introduced into the wild, is real.
The previous identification by others of this being a plecostomus are correct. It looks to be the species Pterygophichthys anisitsi, a species referred to as a snow king pleco in the aquarium trade. These fish are just one of several exotic species that are becoming established in the wild after having been released by uninformed hobbyists. We are currently working on a project to identify non-indigenous species in tidal bayous of Galveston Bay. Other species known to inhabit these bayous include red-bellied pacu (a member of the piranha family though without the nasty reputation), several species of tilapia, Rio Grande cichlids (native to Texas but now established outside its' native range), Chinese grass carp (used to control exotic vegetation such as hydrilla and Eurasian watermilfoil but will readily consume native plants) and channeled apple snails (large snail native to Central and South America that has decimated rice fields in Asia when it was introduced there).
Several live prohibited species have been confiscated at grocery stores and aquarium stores by TPWD Law Enforcement including snakeheads, Asian swamp eels, Pacific oysters, and parasitic catfish. The marketing of non-indigenous species such as these is increasing and the potential for catastrophic consequences, should some of these species be introduced into the wild, is real.
does the state fishing reg's
still tell you to immediately gut a tilapia and pitch him on the bank if you don't want to keep him. i've watched these things in some canals around pearland and they are very aggressive. 3lb bass wouldn't mess with 'em.
still tell you to immediately gut a tilapia and pitch him on the bank if you don't want to keep him. i've watched these things in some canals around pearland and they are very aggressive. 3lb bass wouldn't mess with 'em.
Law related to catching exotic species
From page 33, of the 2003-2004 Outdoor Annual:
"It is a violation to fail to immediately remove the intestines from tilapia, grass carp, or any other fish listed as harmful or potentially harmful, except on those waters where a valid Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect. On those waters it is illegal to possess grass carp and any caught must be immediately returned to the water. For a list of waters with a Triploid Gras Carp Permit contact TPWD at 800-792-1112 (menu 4) or 512-389-8037."
From page 33, of the 2003-2004 Outdoor Annual:
"It is a violation to fail to immediately remove the intestines from tilapia, grass carp, or any other fish listed as harmful or potentially harmful, except on those waters where a valid Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect. On those waters it is illegal to possess grass carp and any caught must be immediately returned to the water. For a list of waters with a Triploid Gras Carp Permit contact TPWD at 800-792-1112 (menu 4) or 512-389-8037."
Thanks for your replies. After doing some searches on the names some
of you mentioned, I found this link --- it's a dead ringer for the one I caught
at Calaveras. Since Calaveras is filled with water pumped out of the San Antonio
River, which is continguous, I believe, with the San Antonio Zoo in Breckenridge Park, there is no telling what's in that lake !
The caption on this pic says 'captured near San Antonio' and since
the pic was also taken in a boat, it could have also been caught at Calaveras.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loricari/liposarc/302_1.php
of you mentioned, I found this link --- it's a dead ringer for the one I caught
at Calaveras. Since Calaveras is filled with water pumped out of the San Antonio
River, which is continguous, I believe, with the San Antonio Zoo in Breckenridge Park, there is no telling what's in that lake !
The caption on this pic says 'captured near San Antonio' and since
the pic was also taken in a boat, it could have also been caught at Calaveras.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loricari/liposarc/302_1.php
It's a Pleco
They're quite common in Calaveras and probably Braunig. If you're ever downtown when they drain the Riverwalk for clean up and repairs, you can see plenty of them there, too.
They're quite common in Calaveras and probably Braunig. If you're ever downtown when they drain the Riverwalk for clean up and repairs, you can see plenty of them there, too.
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