Common Pleco Tail Fin Problems

[world_wide_wilson]

My pleco's tail fin has started deteriorating over the last month, any suggestions why and what I can do?

 

[pippoodle]

can you answer a few questions hun to give some more info
tank size
ammonia
nitrites
nitrates
tank mates
temp
length and age of fish

thanks Sarah

 

[world_wide_wilson]

sure:
tank size - 400l
ammonia - 0
nitrites - 0
nitrates - higher than I'd like it, maybe 60ppm
tank mates - lots, the one I'm most concerned about is an albino red-tailed shark. Otherwise, 2 clown loaches, 3 silver sharks, a black ghost knife fish, 3 glass catfish, 3 honey gouramis, lots of kribs, guppies, platties, swordtails and mollies
temp - 25C
length and age of fish - not sure on age, maybe 7+? length about 14" / 35cm. I was given him about 18 months ago and he hasn't grown since then. This problem has only started recently, though.

Thanks for any help

 

[pippoodle]

It could well be the shark the do get quite nippy
make sure you do lots of water changes (get the nitrates down) and add some melafix to the water to prevent fin rot setting in

the only thing you can do is watch the tank inhabitants as much as possible but he could be attacking the plec at night when its more active

it could be the kribs , BGK or the sharks

If you have a spare tank more the rts for a week or so and see if the tail improves if it does you know its him if not do the same with the bgk and the silver sharks in turn

good luck

 

[world_wide_wilson]

Thanks very much for the help, I'll try what you said.

I doubt it's the kribs or ghost knife cos I've had them ages with no probs.

I have a spare tank but it's got some african dwarf frogs in it and some juvenile guppies that aren't quite big enough for the big tank, so I'm not sure the shark would be ok with them. I'd be most concerned about the frogs cos they're lovely little things. ho hum, I'll have a think... Let me know if anyone's got any ideas.

cheers again, Sarah, much appreciated.