Sailfin Pleco Question

HappyLoner · Post by **HappyLoner** » 03 Sep 2003, 10:28

Hi Everyone!

I was browsing around trying to find which category or board to post under, when I saw this thread, which "almost" answered the question I had as well as where to post... hehehe.

http://www.forum.planetcatfish.com/viewtopic.php?t=2679

If you look at that post, and the picture of the SailFin in it, my question is around those white "patches" he has on his stomach area as well as on his body. Almost looks like a part of the skin lifting off - as if he is shedding his skin like a snake?

What is this? My Sailfin pleco also has it, but they are there one day and gone the next. Another time they re-appear in a different place just to dissappear again... Just wondering if this is normal or a sickness?

In addition to this q above, I feed my Pleco mainly algea wavers, cucumber, zucchini and of course he is VERY active with any sign of algea or leftover food in the tank. He is roughly 5 inches now, and very beautiful (apart from these patches). The algea wafers I feed him is about 5mm in diameter and 2mm thick. How many of these should I feed him per day. Currently he gets between 3-4 of them daily, as well as veggies once a week.

Thanks!

HappyLoner(Danie)

Post by **Silurus** » 03 Sep 2003, 10:37

What is this?

If you're talking about the pale regions, that's just part of the normal coloration. The pale patches seem to be present and are very variable in many of the larger, duller-colored loricariids.

HappyLoner · Post by **HappyLoner** » 03 Sep 2003, 10:47

Silurus wrote:If you're talking about the pale regions, that's just part of the normal coloration. The pale patches seem to be present and are very variable in many of the larger, duller-colored loricariids.

Yes, those pale regions is what Im talking about. So this is normal, even though they kinda appear and disappear again?

Thanks 4 da help!

Post by **Silurus** » 03 Sep 2003, 10:54

Yes. The variability also comes in part from the mood of the fish and the color of the substrate.

HappyLoner · Post by **HappyLoner** » 03 Sep 2003, 10:56

thanks!

kinda relieved to hear he is NOT sick or something! I like the fella!

Guy · Post by **Guy** » 03 Sep 2003, 12:53

I find they go pale and blotchy in bright conditions. If you check it out while its feeding with the tank lights off and the room lights low, it should lose the pale patches.

g.

HappyLoner · Post by **HappyLoner** » 03 Sep 2003, 12:58

Thanks! Helps ALOT!

and regarding this?

HappyLoner wrote:In addition to this q above, I feed my pl*co mainly algea wavers, cucumber, zucchini and of course he is VERY active with any sign of algea or leftover food in the tank. He is roughly 5 inches now, and very beautiful (apart from these patches). The algea wafers I feed him is about 5mm in diameter and 2mm thick. How many of these should I feed him per day. Currently he gets between 3-4 of them daily, as well as veggies once a week.

Thanks

HappyLoner (Danie)

Guy · Post by **Guy** » 03 Sep 2003, 16:33

There have been numerous postings about feeding these guys! They tend to just suck up as much as is put in front of them. Approximately the same volume comes out the other end though. If your sailfin is thriving on its current diet, then you're probably doing fine. When the lights are off it probably hoovers up what the others have left and polishes any algae off the glass. They get a slightly concave stomach if they're underfed.

g.

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