Pleco with exposed area

[brennae]

I got this guy as part of a package deal with some other fish. I've never had a common pleco before. He came with an exposed fin on the left side of the pic. Should I worry? What can I do for him? He is eating.

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[Delapool]

Looks healthy to me. Maybe a bit of redness? I'd see how he went for a week or so (would maybe add some stress coat). Do you know how he ended up like that out of interest?

 

[brennae]

I have no idea. I got him and he was in about 5 grocery bags and a box and the seller said it was due to a bag mishap that he was in grocery bags. He's active and eating. I've been watching him like a hawk.

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[militantpotato]

This happened to one of my bristlenoses recently.
Unless there's signs of an infection meds aren't needed, but increasing the water changes will ensure it heals well. I doubled mine to 50% twice a week, and he's healing up fine.

 

[Brookster123]

That's like raw bone huh?? I'd just make sure the water is crazy clean, it'll heal fine if so.. if not it'll deteriorate than death.. what size tank he in? They get rather large.. sure you knew that though

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[Delapool]

Yeah, I've never seen that before. Even when they fight it's mostly just rips in fins I get.

 

[brennae]

I do know he was in a tank with cichlids in his previous home but what kind of cichlids I am not sure. I'm trying to keep him clean and healthy but just worried.

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[brennae]

Tonight when I fed and shut lights off the boney protrusion is gone like it broke off. Yikes! I'll get a pic tomorrow

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[Delapool]

Whoo! Maybe that might heal better (if shorter)?

 

[brennae]

Now he is getting paler in color. Anyone heard of this before?

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[Delapool]

Unfortunately not here. Is it healing at all?

 

[brennae]

It looks ok but I worry about the color change. I fed him some zucchini today and he likes that I've noticed so maybe he'll perk up.

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[Delapool]

Fingers crossed! I guess the injury would take a bit out of him before he bounces back.

 

[Brookster123]

They will lighten up is color when they're stressed, can you post pics of the coloration?

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[brennae]

Here's a pic.

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[brennae]

Here's the deal. I wasn't going to keep this guy but then I saw he was injured. He's in a 29 right now because I'm having an ammonia problem in the 55. I threw out a bunch of water lettuce and now I'm having an ammonia spike in the 55. I'm dealing with that but I didn't think it would be a good idea to put an injured animal in those conditions. So sadly here I am stuck with the pleco and he's in a tank with 7 cories and a betta. At least it's lightly stocked in this tank.

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[Delapool]

Does he come out at feeding time and get his top fin up?

 

[brennae]

Now he has it up. He just had zucchini. It's been down lately though

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