common pleco looks funky

[christine2012]

Discoloration has been there since a month after we got him. At first I chalked it up to growth, but I haven't seen any improvement. He eats hikari spiralina wafers and cucumbers , zucinni and such. (when they let him eat) and I keep up with my maintenance like clockwork. He shows no sign of illness, hes active, hungry, and in general seems healthy aside from the splotchiness. Params are as follows
Ph-7.6
Ammo - 0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-20 (its water change day)

Also would like to add that I am already looking for him a new home when he starts looking healthier . My husband just HAD to have him and despite my protests, he got his way. So meet Nessy. Any ideas what's up with these patches??

 

[garfy]

Never seen that before.Im interested to see what the outcome is.

 

[Ukdans1k]

Ive had plecs before that looked similar with patches. But as far as I was aware this is a camouflage effect rather than an illness or anything. Unless the scales are flaky or there is other reasons for concern I wouldn't worry.

Someone might know different tho .

 

[Bubbles0oO]

My pleco has the same patches. She eats and act normal, but i did notice something. She was first in a tank with brown / grey gravel, and she was one color. When i moved her into my 55 g which has white PFS she started getting these patches. So i guess its a defense thing so they blend in.

 

[Jacobsal91]

This just happens ocationally, Late at night when the lights off for hours and you turn it on in the middle of the night most fish look white-ish.. Totally normal

 

[NekoOo]

My pleco has those same patches!! I suspect it was him trying to blend in as best he could to the surrounding gravel.

 

[NekoOo]

Mine isn't as light colored though. And it does seem to change a bit.

 

[christine2012]

This is all very reassuring. He took on those colors when we had changed the substrate to sand.

 

[NekoOo]

So, I put a big piece of driftwood into my aquarium lastnight and today my pleco is much darker. It must be a camouflage thing.

 

[daveho]

yep just a cammo thing. my gold spot dose the same thing. just keep an eye out as they will also discolour with stress but there isnt alot that will stress a pleco

 

[christine2012]

So, I put a big piece of driftwood into my aquarium lastnight and today my pleco is much darker. It must be a camouflage thing.

I wish I had paid attention to him when I put my dw in my tank. I do however notice that depending on what area of the tank he's in that his color does a good bit of changing. Its crazy now that I'm noticing it! Thanks!