Pleco Head Gone Pale/cracked - Help!

[macca77]

Hi,

In the past couple days my Plecos head has turned very pale and looks cracked/scales missing.

- The tank is well established and ive had the Pleco for 2 years, I think he's about 3 years old.
- 1/3 water change every 2 weeks
- I feed him algae wafers
- His room mates are 6 tetras, 1 angel, cichlid (unknown, peaceful, small), red tail shark all of which ive had for a long time PLUS 3 largeish (5 inch) Golden Tin Foil barbs which have only been there 2 weeks.
- Its a 180l tank and seems far from crowded.

I thought maybe its the new barbs stealing his algae wafers as they are large enough and greedy enough to steal them but even when dropping them right in fron of him he doesnt seem bothered i.e. hungry.

Any help appreciated.

Andy

 

[WILDER]

Can you post water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

Any redness on the head area.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Any excess mucas on body or gills.
Has he caught his head on anything in the tank.
Could it be a heater burn.
Is it possible to load a pic up of the sick plec.

Also do a search on the plec diet needs as they need more than just algae tablets.