Bitten Up Bristlenose

[PlecoCollector]

I was looking at my Bristlenose Pleco today and noticed that his bristles were rounded at the top. Before, most of them had more extensions on them, but now only one or two have them. Some of the whiskers around his snout look a little red. His pectoral fins look a little red too.
I don't know if this would change anything, but I've noticed the that the spines on its fins and cheeks (I can never remember what those are called!) has become a little more apparant than usual. I've never seen any of my fish bothering him... but as far as I know, something has to be nipping him.
Any ideas?

 

[FroggyFox]

Could it be something like cory's when they get some kind of bacterial infections from being so close to the substrate that they can get shortened up? Do you keep the substrate of that tank pretty well cleaned up?

 

[Pure]

I'm with froggy I kinda think he must be rubbing on something. Nothing in your 90 should really mess with a BN.

Any update on how he is doing.

 

[PlecoCollector]

I just finished adding all the substrate yesterday and before when only half was there, I vacuumed it every week. (Still do)

Nine times out of ten, he's hanging on my intank filter that I use as a powerhead, which I also keep clean. He used to lay on the gravel, but not anymore. When he did that, his bristles were fine.

It doesn't seem to stress him though, I watched him move around yesterday and eat... I just want to know if there's anything I can do to get his pretty bristles back

Thank you for the responses!

 

[Pure]

I would melafix the tank and see if that helped, but on a 90 better to go get the pond size bottle LOL

 

[PlecoCollector]

Lol, that what I was thinking of doing
Thanks!

 

[Pure]

Pay attention to the dosing on the label. It's dif on those big bottles as they are also concentrated. Very easy to overdose if you don't.

 

[PlecoCollector]

Another quick remark on my Bristlenose- his eyes are very dull colored. More gray than anything else... is that... common?

 

[Pure]

Have the eyes always been like that? I've read of mistaken/false blue eyed plecs. Basically they were dosed with a harsh med at the collectors warehouse that turned the eyes milky/blue.

 

[PlecoCollector]

To be honest, I don't remember
I haven't had him all that long, and as far back as I remember, they've always been kind of dull. Now they are a milky browish-gray color.
I also have no idea how old he is. I got him from a Pet Supermarket and assumed that someone traded him in, since they never carry BN there and he's fully grown. Could age be a factor?

 

[Pure]

Naaa, I've had ripe old men BNs and have not seen this. I would imagine it is what I said earlier, and at one time he was dosed with this harsh med. i for the life of me can't remember what the name of it was.

I do know it normally doesn't effect them and they live happy normal lives.

 

[PlecoCollector]

Thanks Pure
As long as he is going to be okay, I'll be happy ^^ He's a very active Pleco and I'm trying to find him a female friend
His bristles also appear to be growing back; a few of them are growing splits at the end again.

 

[bala_aquarium]

so are the splits a good thing

 

[bandito41]

Good to hear he is doing better.

 

[Pure]

so are the splits a good thing

Emmm huh? Kinda outa left feild there Bala. Are you asking if splits in the fins are ok?

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

Thanks Pure
As long as he is going to be okay, I'll be happy ^^ He's a very active Pleco and I'm trying to find him a female friend
His bristles also appear to be growing back; a few of them are growing splits at the end again.

i think bala was referring to this... i too am wondering.

 

[Pure]

LOL Ahhhh well then. It depends on what species of BN if they get these, and often only the dominant male will show "branching" of this nature.

Thanks yahoo I was a bit lost there.