Female seems to be developing 'stringy' fins and tail

G'day all.  I have read through most of the discussions and they are very informative, however no-one else has mentioned a bn with a situation like mine and I'm not sure if it's something to worry about.

She is an albino l/f close to a year old I think.  I Bought her (along with her sister and common bn's) from Doug back in June so she would have been a few months old at least.

Problem is... in the last couple of weeks I have noticed her fins and tail becoming 'stringy' if that makes sense.  Instead of being like a fan, they have separated like hundreds of individual hairs.   
I have linked photos so I hope they show up properly as this is the first time I have attempted to put my photos on the net!

Here's the info if it helps. (I realise the Nitrates are high and am working on it.)

Tank size and setup: 166ltr, 105x36x41cm tank, a few plants, breeding cave and a bit of driftwood with Java moss starting to grow. A 20cm tall Castle ornament (that the male is hiding in - up the smallest turret!) and other ornaments/rocks for algae to grow on.  About 60% space so I can see the fish.

Substrate: 1-3cm gravel

filtration Sump filter as this just one tank of a stack of 3.  Sump has two large sponge blocks, then ceramic noodles to flow through before heating, air stone and then pumping back to top of 'tank stack'. There is a total of approx. 600L water between the three tanks and sump (sump is about 100L only) and it cycles approx. 5-6 times an hour.  Sponges are each cleaned about every three weeks but done alternately.  Noodles are given a rinse every 3-4 weeks (in water taken out for changes) and the pump itself (which has a small sponge inside) about once every 6 weeks.

Airstone/sponge filter etc: Air stones in each tank and in the sump.

Inhabitance: IN THIS PARTICULAR TANK: One female l/f albino bristlenose nearing a year old, and about 50 baby guppies and balloon mollies that are all around 1cm long. (They don't seem to pay l/f bn any attention so it's not a nibbling issue).  Two days ago I added a Male marble s/f bn that is bigger than her if not including tail, he is 14months old and they 'danced' for a couple of hours then he has hidden in the top of the smallest turret of the castle ornament since then.  He is alive cos I can see him thru the window!  
IN THE OTHER TWO TANKS SERVICED BY SAME WATER AND SUMP FILTER: Larger guppies, mollies, balloons and a few other bn's - one of which is the sister to this one and has fins that look ok.

Fish affected by issue (all/bottom dwellers, all bristlenose or a single fish etc): only this one albino l/f bn.

Feeding system (what, how much, how often): flake food in the morning and evening for the other fish (I watch to make sure not too much sinks as waste, algae wafers in the evening, cucumber/zucchini every day, occasionally orange/yellow veg instead.

current water change system (before illness appeared): Approx 25-30% a week in conjunction with gravel cleans of all tanks at the same time. (yep, it's a mammoth task but it's done without fail!)

water changes made since illness appeared: 25-30% two days ago - hours before the new guy was introduced.

As many levels as you know (pH, Ammonia, nitrate, nitirite, KH, GH, TDS, anything you can find out, your local fish shop should be able to help with this):


pH:7.0
ammonia: 0
Nitrite:0
nitrate approx. 30-40ppm
GH ?
KH ?
phosphate: ?
temp: 25.5 - 26.5 (depending on time of day and heater cycle)


any chemicals used (including carbon/chemical fitration inside the filter): Tap water conditioner, Melafix and Pimafix added after water change and stress zyme every 14 days.

water source and treatment: standard SA tap water with tap water conditioner added, let it sit for about 6 hours.

Major changes in the last 3 weeks (new fish, new plants, new anything or changes): Added the new bn two days ago but this condition seemed noticeable before that.

Symptoms (gasping, not moving, bloated, spots, wounds, stressed colours etc): She is eating her vegies, wafers and algae off ornaments and gravel. She seems to be acting quite normal but I don't want to let anything happen to her so I'm covering all bases!

Pictures:

https://i.servimg.com/u/f58/18/63/35/19/bn210.jpg

https://i.servimg.com/u/f58/18/63/35/19/bn111.jpg

Thanks everyone - any ideas or info is greatly appreciated.

It is normal
as the fins get "dragged" around behind them, they fray, It can also happen when the male traps females in the cave, I have seen a male completely tear off a females fin

That's pretty darn extreme!
Well hopefully that doesn't happen in this case cos she is beautiful and he is quite a cute guy...

Here's a photo of him (hope it works)

https://i.servimg.com/u/f58/18/63/35/19/20131112.jpg

Thanks again Chaase  

The only other thing i would add to changing, is the "Melafix and Pimafix added after water change and stress zyme every 14 days."

There is no need for these unless you are treating an illness

The less additives into a tank the better

someone used the template

Made your day hey doug!

[quote="Doug"]someone used the template

...I'm just a newbie. If you say this is the way to get the help you need - that's what I will try to do.

I have learnt a lot from all the stories and posts from people who have had plecos/bn's for a week, a year or 20 years.
Its just great to have a site like this to share info on.
I will soon be adding some photos of all my bn's.

Thanks again guys.