pleco fins all messed up

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nate_lockhart

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Dec 28, 2003
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My Pleco's fins are all split and ragged for some reason (esp. the tail). What I am trying to figure is what it is.

1) Could be finrot. However, it doesn't seem so, because the fin is split in a jagged way. The gaps are kind of spike-shaped. The edges don't appear light, and the other fish are not affected (a 2-3 inch Oscar and a 1-2 inch electric yellow cichlid. I know I don't have a very "good" mix, but they have seemed to prosper and get along well, except the pleco recently)

2) pH problem: doesn't seem likely. He has been in the tank for a while and the probs just developed in the last couple weeks. The pH has always stayed relatively steady, though it is alkaline (always a little under 8)

3) Fin nipping. Seems the most likely candidate with the tank mates, but I have never seen them bother the pleco, or even take notice of him.

I am kind of discounting water quality because my water has consistently tested well since I got my new canister filter and I haven't seen any spikes in anything.

What do you think is the most likely candidate, what should I do, and are there any other potential causes of the problem? Thanks for any help.
 
i think its the tankmates..
i also have a pleco with damaged fins and tails. :)
its in the tank with an arowana:)



Originally posted by nate_lockhart
My Pleco's fins are all split and ragged for some reason (esp. the tail). What I am trying to figure is what it is.

1) Could be finrot. However, it doesn't seem so, because the fin is split in a jagged way. The gaps are kind of spike-shaped. The edges don't appear light, and the other fish are not affected (a 2-3 inch Oscar and a 1-2 inch electric yellow cichlid. I know I don't have a very "good" mix, but they have seemed to prosper and get along well, except the pleco recently)

2) pH problem: doesn't seem likely. He has been in the tank for a while and the probs just developed in the last couple weeks. The pH has always stayed relatively steady, though it is alkaline (always a little under 8)

3) Fin nipping. Seems the most likely candidate with the tank mates, but I have never seen them bother the pleco, or even take notice of him.

I am kind of discounting water quality because my water has consistently tested well since I got my new canister filter and I haven't seen any spikes in anything.

What do you think is the most likely candidate, what should I do, and are there any other potential causes of the problem? Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
 
split fins

just wondering what happened to your pleco with the split fins... I had a highfin pleco who's fins kept splitting, even after I placed him in a tank with two rosy barbs and a gold gouramie and treated with mela and pima fix. Right after he died, I noticed that my ablino rainbow shark's fins started splitting in the same manner. Again, I treated w/ Pima and Mela fix. Almost two weeks after treatment, he died too. I treated for a third week, until I ran out of meds and then stopped. Everyone looked healthy. Now, this morning, I see that another (my last) rainbow shark has a split in his dorsil fin.

Anyone have an idea on what this could be?

here's my setup:
37 gallon freshwater. with driftwood, granite stones, and java fern
10 tiger barbs
3" pictus cat
3" bala shark
2" rainbow shark (with a split dorsil fin)
2" red tailed shark
3" albino pleco
1.5" clown pleco

I do a 25% water change each week
I add some buffer with each water change to neutralize chlorine, lock up ammonia, and keep the pH about 7.0. I also add 1/3 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water added. I haven't measured the specific gravity, but I've been doing the waterchanges enough now, that the salt concentration should be approaching .33 teaspoons per gallon

any ideas? Thanks.
 
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