Old Pleco Help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

EconAdept

Feeder Fish
Jul 23, 2024
2
5
3
36
I am worried and need a bit if advice/help.

I have a Common Pleco named Tim that has been with me nearly 20 years.

About 22 inches long and just moved into his "retirement tank".

When my wife and I moved our new house had an outbuilding where my office is, and I built Tim a 300 gallon plywood tank, we a dry pallodarium bit ontop (Also 300 gallons)

The tank area is 4x6 x 2 feet deep, amazon "black water" tank.

As you can see his front fins are worn, but the tank substrate is mud and soft sand, (Granted he decided to thoroughly mix the substrate up and move it around about a month ago, so it's now all just mixed)


I have had him since my freshman year in collage when I bought him from petco with a 10 gallon tank (yea I was one of those idiots)

Over the years he was upgraded to a 50, a 150, and now this tank.

I have never seen wear on his fins like that, and I'm worried. He acts normal, and seems to like his bigger tank. (It's just him and about 50 small tetras, and microfauna right now)

Anyone have any idea what's happening and how I can help?

I'm willing to do what's needed. (Hell 5 years ago to move to the state I'm in I drove him in a life support tank on a 4 day road trip using battery powered airstones and heaters. I'm willing to so what's needed, i just dont k ow what to do)

1000021727.jpg
 
Your dedication to that pleco is amazing. They use their pectorals for fighting, digging, fanning, and locking themselves into caves so they are very durable. My plecos have done worse during courtship and rebounded just fine. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t get fungus or red streaks, etc
That is actually really good to hear.

You think it's just from pushing all the substrate around?
 
  • Like
Reactions: SilverArowanaBoi
I am worried and need a bit if advice/help.

I have a Common Pleco named Tim that has been with me nearly 20 years.

About 22 inches long and just moved into his "retirement tank".

When my wife and I moved our new house had an outbuilding where my office is, and I built Tim a 300 gallon plywood tank, we a dry pallodarium bit ontop (Also 300 gallons)

The tank area is 4x6 x 2 feet deep, amazon "black water" tank.

As you can see his front fins are worn, but the tank substrate is mud and soft sand, (Granted he decided to thoroughly mix the substrate up and move it around about a month ago, so it's now all just mixed)


I have had him since my freshman year in collage when I bought him from petco with a 10 gallon tank (yea I was one of those idiots)

Over the years he was upgraded to a 50, a 150, and now this tank.

I have never seen wear on his fins like that, and I'm worried. He acts normal, and seems to like his bigger tank. (It's just him and about 50 small tetras, and microfauna right now)

Anyone have any idea what's happening and how I can help?

I'm willing to do what's needed. (Hell 5 years ago to move to the state I'm in I drove him in a life support tank on a 4 day road trip using battery powered airstones and heaters. I'm willing to so what's needed, i just dont k ow what to do)

View attachment 1545995
Welcome aboard
20 years in your care is awesome.
 
I am worried and need a bit if advice/help.

I have a Common Pleco named Tim that has been with me nearly 20 years.

About 22 inches long and just moved into his "retirement tank".

When my wife and I moved our new house had an outbuilding where my office is, and I built Tim a 300 gallon plywood tank, we a dry pallodarium bit ontop (Also 300 gallons)

The tank area is 4x6 x 2 feet deep, amazon "black water" tank.

As you can see his front fins are worn, but the tank substrate is mud and soft sand, (Granted he decided to thoroughly mix the substrate up and move it around about a month ago, so it's now all just mixed)


I have had him since my freshman year in collage when I bought him from petco with a 10 gallon tank (yea I was one of those idiots)

Over the years he was upgraded to a 50, a 150, and now this tank.

I have never seen wear on his fins like that, and I'm worried. He acts normal, and seems to like his bigger tank. (It's just him and about 50 small tetras, and microfauna right now)

Anyone have any idea what's happening and how I can help?

I'm willing to do what's needed. (Hell 5 years ago to move to the state I'm in I drove him in a life support tank on a 4 day road trip using battery powered airstones and heaters. I'm willing to so what's needed, i just dont k ow what to do)

View attachment 1545995

Much respect for the dedication to your pleco!
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
MonsterFishKeepers.com