Any Idea if this is normal or a problem

[Balake2424]

I’ve had my blue phantom over a week now, all in all he’s doing great but I noticed theses marks or holes on his fins that I’m positive we’re not there before which makes me uneasy because I paid a decent amount for him he’s probably my favorite in the tank and I would like to see him look his best I just really wanna make sure it’s not some type of rot or fungal infection so any input helps a lot thanks

 

[Ulu]

Not good, but pinholes, keyholes and splits will heal in time. Get his water as clean as possible and make sure it's well balanced. I'd do a small dose of salt, on the first change but not too much for bottom fish, and predilute it

Are you sure this tank is well cycled?

Plecos can get this fin decay quickly in dirty water, but repeated water changes, good diet and the right water will fix it in a few weeks. I've never had holes quite that big, but many of my plecos have started to develop this from lack of care.

There are other meds you might use, but I'd hold out a bit and trust in clean water.

 

[kno4te]

Not fin rot or fungus. Will clear up with clean water and good food. No need to treat. Agree with Ulu .

 

[Linus_Cello]

In addition to what was said, keep the tank dark and add extra aeration

 

[DarkOne]

I agree with what's been suggested except for the salt. Never use salt on a tank with plecos. My first L128 had ripped fins but with clean water, it all healed up in 2-3 days. She looked perfect after a week.

I use a wavemaker in my pleco tank rather than an air stone for aeration. I have 5 L128's and they're probably my favorite pleco.

 

[Balake2424]

Not good, but pinholes, keyholes and splits will heal in time. Get his water as clean as possible and make sure it's well balanced. I'd do a small dose of salt, on the first change but not too much for bottom fish, and predilute it

Are you sure this tank is well cycled?

Plecos can get this fin decay quickly in dirty water, but repeated water changes, good diet and the right water will fix it in a few weeks. I've never had holes quite that big, but many of my plecos have started to develop this from lack of care.

There are other meds you might use, but I'd hold out a bit and trust in clean water.

Thanks for the info yeah the tank is very well cycled it’s been up 2 months I also have green phantoms and vampire/ galaxy Plecos as well but they don’t have any signs of this at all I’ll do as you say and change the water twice a week now if you think that dirty water is the problem. i normally do a water change every 7 days but this guy is new and was in water that had a ph of 7.5 and mine is at 8 could that also be a problem ?

 

[Ulu]

Plecos make a lot of waste and need lots of water.
I know one guy that changes 90% twice a week, but he's really stocked.

I have used salt in the aquarium with plecos over 40 years, but not too much. They can be sensitive.
Just one teaspoon in 10 gals will reduce pathogens and improve osmosis.
I think the pH is fine if it remains steady. I'm over 8 in my tanks with cichlids and plecos.