PlanetCatfish.com

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kFK22qeA3HX6DMBA8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NXYSiXsqwpuBc8Av5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rZz4CLMuuswXp2ET8

Hi, I need some help to determine if my pleco was attacked or has some fungal like disease. I bought it about 2 weeks ago where it was housed in a pail overcrowded with pleco and no filtration whatsoever. I did notice some of its dorsal and caudal fins were ripped and I thought it might be because of the other larger pleco it was housed with. I'm troubled by the white blotch around the caudal peduncle-I didn't see that when I purchased the fish. My main tank is semi-aggressive with a juvenile frontosa, 2 featherfin squeakers and a striped raphael catfish. I didn't see the pleco getting attacked though but I can't rule it out. I've since transferred it to a hospital tank. I hope someone could advise me whether this was a case of injury from attack or disease as I need to know whether I can transfer it back to the main tank after treatment. Could I also get a confirmation if this specimen is p. joselimaianus please?
Thank you

I have some problem interpreting the photos, I see a rather normal looking pleco.

I did not mis a fin or so, and all the fins look OK to me.

fungus is fluffy and in case of finrot, the affected area is red from inflammation. When a fish is attaced, this area normally is not red, unless it is bleeding.

Perhaps this helps?

Bas Pels wrote: 25 Oct 2020, 12:55 I have some problem interpreting the photos, I see a rather normal looking pleco.

I did not mis a fin or so, and all the fins look OK to me.

fungus is fluffy and in case of finrot, the affected area is red from inflammation. When a fish is attaced, this area normally is not red, unless it is bleeding.

Perhaps this helps?

Thank you for replying. The area around the caudal, the pinkish/ whitish segment is troubling. Is this the normal coloration you think?If so I would probably observe the condition for the next few days and transfer the fish back to the main tank.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gCMPzN58YagMh77s6
After isolation and treatment the white patch on the caudal region has disappeared. However I notice that the eyes are bulging. Is this normal? I'm hoping it isn't pop eye.

Looks like popeye to me.

Regards,
Eric

Thank you Eric. I had another good look at it. Its final stage pop eye alright. Belly is swollen, scales are protruding. Its having difficulty breathing and swimming. Sigh.