A few months ago I bought a sailfin for my first tank. He seemed to be in great shape but now it looks as if he is peeling. Is this a disease or something he was exposed to? Is this reversible? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Sailfin pleco help
- Thread starter scorchinscotty
- Start date
Welcome to MFK!!!
Do you have a pic? I've never heard of actual 'peeling' in plecos. I have heard that the armor plates will appear to be detaching in plecos if they contract bloat. The edema in their tissues will cause swelling and it's that swelling that will force the armor away from their bodies.
Treatment for bloat is as follows.:
Do a large water change of a third to half the tank (to reduce the population of bacteria).
Remove carbon/resins from the filter.
Add a teaspoon of salt per gallon of water (not marine salts as these will alter your pH).
Treat with Metronidazole at 250mg for every 10 gallons of water.
Do not feed during the initial part of the treatment.
After 3 days, perform another water change (1/3 to 1/2 the tank). replace the salt and retreat with Metronidazole at full dosage.
Do not feed.
The bloat should appear to be receeding at this point. There may be an acrid odor coming from the tank due to the affected fish dumping large amounts of urine as their bodies fight the infection.
One the 3rd day of retreatment, perform another water change, replace salt, and redose at full strength. If the fish look like they're recovered or close to full recovery, you can offer them a bit of food.
After 3 more days, the fish should be fully recovered. Do another water change of a third of the tank, replace the salt (aids in osmotic process regulation), and don't remedicate.
The treatment regimen should be complete at this point.
Good Luck.
Do you have a pic? I've never heard of actual 'peeling' in plecos. I have heard that the armor plates will appear to be detaching in plecos if they contract bloat. The edema in their tissues will cause swelling and it's that swelling that will force the armor away from their bodies.
Treatment for bloat is as follows.:
Do a large water change of a third to half the tank (to reduce the population of bacteria).
Remove carbon/resins from the filter.
Add a teaspoon of salt per gallon of water (not marine salts as these will alter your pH).
Treat with Metronidazole at 250mg for every 10 gallons of water.
Do not feed during the initial part of the treatment.
After 3 days, perform another water change (1/3 to 1/2 the tank). replace the salt and retreat with Metronidazole at full dosage.
Do not feed.
The bloat should appear to be receeding at this point. There may be an acrid odor coming from the tank due to the affected fish dumping large amounts of urine as their bodies fight the infection.
One the 3rd day of retreatment, perform another water change, replace salt, and redose at full strength. If the fish look like they're recovered or close to full recovery, you can offer them a bit of food.
After 3 more days, the fish should be fully recovered. Do another water change of a third of the tank, replace the salt (aids in osmotic process regulation), and don't remedicate.
The treatment regimen should be complete at this point.
Good Luck.