Sailfin Plec (Leopard)

Question
QUESTION: My sailfin plec (Butch) was looking really good until about a week ago.  I noticed discoloration and this seems to be spreading; now I cannot tell from just looking at him if it is purely discoloration or in fact a fungi of some sort.  I bought him some supplement plec food yesterday as he was only eating the flake food i was giving the rest of the fish; mostly tetras.  This is a 30litre tank and 20% water replaced yesterday.  Light on until about 11pm.  Please let me know what you think.

Regards
Antoinette, Cape Town SA

ANSWER: Antoinette,

There are many things that can cause a fish to be discolored.  Right now, I can think of 3.

1. not enough space.  A sailfin pleco grows to 50cm and needs at least a 200 liter tank.  Your tank is much to small and could cause stress and stunting, resulting in poor color.

2.  ammonia or nitrite poisoning. How long has the tank been set up?  What are the water parameters?

3. over crowding due to too many fish in the tank.  JHow many other fish are in there?  How long have you had him?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My pleco is only about 6cm long at this stage; I was told he will be fine initially and I will have to move him to a bigger tank later. Tank has been up for about 3 months or so.  There are 13 tetras (various types) in the tank.  Plants and hiding places also..too many fish?  I stand corrected; it might be a 40litre but is more or less.

Answer
WAY too many fish. 13 tetras are equal to 36" of fish. The pleco is about 2". That is already nearly 40" of fish.  And a 40 liter tank is only 10 gallons.  The most you should have is 10" of fish.  you are nearly at 4X the amount you should have.  There is a good chance that all three of those issues are happening.  I am guessing that it is a mixture of stress and ammonia/nitrite poisoning.  check your ammonia and nitrite levels and get back to me.