My Pleostomus has a pale patch appeared near his tail

[Dorothy Kenn]

my Pleostomus has developed a pale pinkish patch on his tail, I think it might be a graze but not sure. I have had my pleostomus for about 25 years so I am quite attached to him. I believe some species can live between 25-30 years so he is getting on a bit. Is it a graze or should I be concerned?

 

[authmal]

Is it fuzzy? Is it smooth? What tankmates does your pleco have? What are your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings) currently? Have you done a water change recently? If not, do. If it's an injury, cleaner water should help with the healing process.

 

[the loach]

It looks like a wound or ulcer. I would put something like Artemiss in there (herbal product for wound healing)

 

[fishorama]

It looks like wound to me too. Do you have rough rocks or big tankmates? I would go with large frequent water changes unless you nitrate is high (over 40ppm). If it is, go with smaller 10-15% WCs often & see if it changes in a few weeks of that treatment. Clean water can work miracles!

You should be proud of his longevity, you must take good care of him Aging animals can have weakening immune systems etc...& old tanks can slowly develop poor water quality that might interfere with good healing...& big plecs eat & poo a LOT, lol.