Goldie Pleco Spines/Bristles shedding ?

[SoCalDiscus]

Hi All,

Do large goldie plecos ever shed their spines? I have a 12+ inch goldie who has been shedding his spines along his pectoral fins and on his gill plates. It looks like the long ones 1 cm+ are falling off and there are new shorter ones underneath. I'm guessing this is generally applicable to all plecos that have spines and not just goldies... Have any of you experienced this before?

I'm think it might be part of a cycle because of the shorter new spines under the old ones... but I thought I would ask and not assume.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[SoCalDiscus]

Anyone have experience with this?

In some of the other research I have done it appears that many plecos that have spines or "odontodes" will shed them periodically. Here is what I have found for anyone interested.

Here is a quote I found: "The odotodes drop off when the fish is stressed or irritated. But they will grow again when conditions are right."
From: http://www.plecofanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7354&page=2

I also found this on AC: "the males develop a bunch of spines on each side of the head behind the gills. they are shed occasionally as well, so males won't have them all the time."
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120390

The reason I was looking into this is to make sure I don't have any nutritional deficiencies.

-Eric

 

[Kevaldo]

yeah ive seen this when panaque's have come in, and there odotodes are in the box. I would agree with the stress theory.

 

[panthrr22@aol.com]

So if stress releases the spines it would be defencless for 7 months?

 

[SoCalDiscus]

So if stress releases the spines it would be defencless for 7 months?

Where are you referencing 7 months from?