My plecos have odd spots

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fishbyoch

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 6, 2007
49
0
0
FLORIDA
My plecos have been getting these odd pale spots on them, they almost look like burns. We've lost 2 already...
and i wondered if any of you know what is going on with my fish, none of the other fish in the tank seem to have it, just the pleco.
Just did a water change yesterday, about a 50%.

ammonia-0
nitrates-10
nitrites-0
PH-7.5
temp- 80

here are some pics i took, though they aren't very clear they should be some sort of help.

Picture011.jpg


Picture012.jpg
 
Pretty normal for a Common plec to get those pale bands / patches.

Sometimes it's a sign of stress, trying to match backgrounds or sometimes no obvious reason.

The water parameters look good, so I dont think that should be causing a problem. Only concern is why some have died, they are usually as tough as an old boot. Are they eating OK? Tankmates?

Cheers

Ian
 
Difficult to tell from the pics. Does this site http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/skin_disorders.html help you diagnose it?

If it is indeed broken skin or open wounds that "almost look like burns" as opposed to infective lesions or just variations in pigmentation then perhaps it is burns? Possible if the affected fish are all using an unprotected heater to hide behind?
 
they are always on or around the heater.is there something i can put around the heater to keep them away.the one with spots already looks a little better, i've been watching closely and shooing him off the heater.this is so weird can't they feel the burn?
 
Heater burns will usually be on their belly where they rest on the heater, not across their back. My Commons have that same faded pattern that comes and goes depending on their mood.

If they are eating normally and look healthy otherwise, dont worry :)

Cheers

Ian
 
well he was in our hospital tank being treated for ich, so it was pretty warm in there and yes there is salt. just moved him to the 55g today, he's still a bit pale, but at least he's not hugging the heater today, he's been hiding on this rock i have that's shaped like an "A"
 
bogwood, i'll have to look into getting some ^.^ do you think he could be stressed because of tankmates??? he lives with 2 parrot fish, an oscar, and a huge snail. they don't seem to pay him any mind though.
 
well he was in our hospital tank being treated for ich, so it was pretty warm in there and yes there is salt.
Click to expand...

I would say he was feeling a bit stressed over that then :nilly: Plecos generally dont like salt, and between the ich, the warm water and meds he probably wasn't very happy.

If he's back in a regular tank and has a good hiding place he should come back to normal in a few days. Commons dont NEED bogwood in their diet, but it makes a good hiding place for them and they will graze algae off it.

Cheers

Ian
 
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