Pleco - defense mechanism?

I have a pleco in my tank and have seen it do something very strange i know that them fanning out all their fins is defensive but i was watching it the other day and 2 of my bronze corries zoomed past it and bumped it a bit and must have freaked it out and it fanned out its fins and then shot out something like whiskers a patch from either side of its face almost directly below its eyes and then retracted them. What is this cant seem to find the name for them anywhere

 

transformers 5...

 

This sound freaky maybe if you can post a pic then maybe the guys can give you some answers

 

I am no expert, but as far as I know they are called odontodes - these are sometimes used for sexing Pleco-type catfish (the males grow elongated ones from what i have read). In this case was probably using them as a defense mechanism.

 

100%

 

Just Googled odontodes and as SalmonAfrica said you are 100% correct. Thanks alot
HAHA Plecci the Plecostomous wards off all danger with his odontodes

 

yeah man if they get stressed they spring there side fins out and they are sharp . corydoras also do something similar , think its to avoid being eaten as well.
most pet shops should and do always put plecos in double plastic bags when they sell them .
I once bought a big pleco and he riped one of the bags open with those fins . no fish will want that down its throat !