My Pleco's Nose...

[Bravo2zero_sps]

has what appears to be clump of fur on the end of it slightly to one side. It looks like a cross between a clump of hair/brown thick grass. Its the same colour as its skin and there appears to be no break in the skin so its not shredded skin. It could be algae but how and why would it be growing on the end of a pleco's face and be exactly the same colour as its skin?

Anyone come across this before? Its not bothering it, swimming around fine, eating fine, pooping fine etc etc. Oh and its a sailfin pleco.

 

[Darkstar]

any chance of a picture?

 

[smithrc]

definatly not normal - and dosnt sound healthy...

You sure its not a bristlenose ??

its not its odontodes is it... the spikes / hair just before its gill plates??

Most plecs develop them - males a lot more promenantly.
See this pic of one of our zebs as an illistration

 

[Bravo2zero_sps]

I'll see if I can get a pic but will need the plec close up to show in a pic so may take some time. Unless there is a bristlenose that looks exactly the same as a sailfin then no its not a bristlenose

 

[LisaLQ]

Some ancistrus (bristlenose family) pics to look through
http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=4

 

[Bravo2zero_sps]

Sorry for the cr4p quality, my digital camera (which takes amazing pics normally) just does not like taking pics of my tank even with the flash off and focusing it on the spot i'm taking a picture of.

As you can see now it is most definately not a bristle nose and is a Sailfin! The pic wont show that lump as the fluffy/hairy/grassy clump like it appears in the flesh.

It is not bothering the plec, its eating fine and as active as ever. I mentioned it to my LFS (who I think posts here) and they weren't sure what it could be but agreed if its not showing any signs of distress or affecting its normal behaviour then its not a great concern.

I will keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't spread/grow bigger.

Oh and one from another angle:

 

[Bravo2zero_sps]

And one more gratuitous shot of my plecos out having their night time feed, the sailfin now has a little friend in a broken line panaque who I think is absolutley stunning and great to watch shuffling about where as the sailfin glides everywhere

 

[smithrc]

I havent got a clue - sorry