Pleco injury or something else??

Hi Guys,

Any idea what's happened to my pleco??We noticed the white mark next to his fin a few days ago and now he is like this.

Sorry if this is on the wrong board as I don't post much.

Many thanks,

75g tank
Temp 26c
Nitrates between 10-20
No Ammonia
Planted with lots of hiding places
Had him a year or so with no prior issues

 

One of the spines seems to be ripped of / broken. think it is fungus on a wound.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. I've just done a 50 percent water change. I would try some aquarium salt but I know Plecos don't like it.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. I've just done a 50 percent water change. I would try some aquarium salt but I know Plecos don't like it.

I'd say with the the size and location of the wound, you should be able to treat the wound by removing the fish from the water for a minute or less, dab dry the area with a paper towel, swabbing the wound with hydrogen peroxide 3% and let it sit for 5 seconds, and then swab with neosporin to protect it. just set up and 1,2,3, and put it back, treat with just neosporin for up 3 days, no need for the hydrogen peroxide after the first time. neither is harmful to the fish or the water or bacteria in the water, just don't want the peroxide or the neosporin to get in their eyes or gills so it shouldn't be used if the injury is near the head.

water changes can only get you so far, meds are mostly a no go and it
s but a external topical treatment should work to clear it up before it becomes a bigger problem with far less med stress and risk.

Just an opinion of course. I learned this from an outdoor koi keeper, they'd get pretty severe wounds from random wildlife messing with them and they healed up quickly without infections progressing.

 

I cannot guarantee this but I think it will be okay with minimal treatment. At most I would probably let the pleco sit in bucket with a solution of Methylene blue (antifungal/antiseptic) overnight with an air stone then put it back in the tank. If you don't see improvement within a couple days then more treatment may be needed.

I've had BN plecos get broken spines on their fins, especially the long finned ones when trying to spawn in their cramped breeding caves. The spines that are broken usually fall off the rest of the way in the next few days then grow back pretty quick. I am a little concerned that the effected spine runs all the way back to the body like that but so long as the body does not become infected the fins will heal. The pleco likely got the fin pinched between some decor and had to struggle to get it out.