plecos and clamped fins

[Holly9937]

Do plecos normally hold their fins clamped/close to their body, or should they always be flared out, like any other fish?

[Dangerdoll]

I'm thinking the answer to this would be that it depends on which kind of pleco you have. For instance, I've had commons where they would "relax" their fins (I wouldn't call it clamped) when minding their own business or sucking on the tank wall, seeming to be in a "relaxed" state and only "flare-up" when either another fish got too close, it was spooked, or when trying to eat an algae disk. On the other hand, I have a lemon-spotted pleco that keeps his fins flared whenever he's outside his normal cave/hiding spot.

HTH :)

[Holly9937]

Is there a different look to relaxed as opposed to clamped? I guess that is the best way I thought to describe it. I have a common and a bristlenose and the majority of the time the fins are not flared. I think the water is fine, and they are in a large tank.

[asianhellokitty]

I don't think you should be worried, I have a common one and a bristlenose as well and neither of them flare all the time. I do see the bristlenose open up more than the common one but it should be fine. Only worry if you see them acting strange, if they're wigging out in your tank and seem really stiff then they would be clamping their fins. Do they seem stiff or relaxed?

[Holly9937]

No they seem fine, and they've pretty much always looked this way. They have been a little strange lately, zipping around more than usual, but I think its just adjusting to their new home (just got moved a couple of weeks ago) plus I'm still decorating ;) and I think that is pissing them off a bit!! LOL