Weve touched on the diet already, but heres some more in-depth information. My drop checker had pretty much all of the air OUT of the "exchainge" area, in it's place was water. ), -Research nutrition based on specific pleco species, fin edges turn black or brown and look frayed, have white dots (another possible symptom of ich). The symptoms you describe are exactly what I saw happening to mine. Test to see if your ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are too high. There are various products that might treat it but as for your best option on products I don't know. This can be a sign of an internal infection due to injury or the food its been eating. Its a quite common sight: a pleco laying on its back. i have heard reports of them lasting quite a while out of water. If you cant see the gills moving, this suggests that the fish is truly dead. You might need to address water quality issues. They should be living for a very long time under your care. The better stores will do, so in that case you dont have to. When the water quality is poor, it'll weaken the immune system of the plecos. My pleco is not sucking anything please help!!! Researching before owning your pleco will give you the necessary information and guidance on preventing and treating these issues when they happen because not every fish owner is perfect. Does he look as tough he's thin or sick? It was a bristlenose pleco. Quarantining fish is putting them in a closed-off environment for a couple of weeks, before putting them in your main tank. In general these catfish aren't very demanding when it comes to space requirements since they share bottom levels of tanks or just rest on large plants and, as mentioned above, adult specimens grow to 13 cm in length (approximately 5 inches), moreover females grow smaller than males. I came over to his house about 4 hours later and noticed the plec was missing. Clean the gravel at the bottom of the tank with a gravel vacuum, and make sure any decorations are clean as well. Ketchup_Turkey 4 yr. ago. You might notice the pleco fish swimming erratically. Fast forward to the next day. In some cases, it might even be as extreme as males killing each other. To have a healthy Pleco fish, owners should keep assessing all these factors and keep maintaining a quality life for the Pleco for it to survive. This can be caused by not thoroughly cycling the tank before adding new fish. Weve touched a little on improving the tank setup for your pleco catfish. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. Floating the fish for an hour or so will help it to get used to the water temperature of its new home. Im not sure if somethings wrong or not. If the pleco is not moving but breathing, then there are several things that could be happening. Its wise to isolate the fish during the treatment process by setting up a quarantine tank. My pleco is laying on it's side still breathing but not movi By entering this site you declare If your pleco is stressed, it may exhibit some of the following behaviors: Hiding is a natural defensive response for many fish. Click here. How can I make my plecostomus more active? Many plecos are omnivorous, meaning they need both plant-based foods and protein to thrive. Aren't the nitrates a tad on the high side? I did my weekly 50% water change with my regular EI dosing which didn't bother him at all. Problems such as fin rot and pop eye can be dealt with so that the fish can get better. Ammonia and nitrites build up then bacteria build up to convert them into something less harmful to fish. What should I do?! Change the Tank Water Frequently. We need the oxygen to flow and the current from a filter or movement of . That caused me to look at all of the fish, and I saw that many were very pale. Using a tiny pointed tool, such as a pair of tweezers, slightly open the mouth and slightly loosen the gill covers. Take action by doing water changes and adding an air pump. Poor water conditions, bacterial infections, and even injuries have been known to make this happen. These are great fish and you want them to thrive under your care. It's scared and it's stressed and it's hiding, because it's in a strange place after being caught and boxed up and moved. Ich can be treated by using medication that will get rid of the infection. whats wrong? For plecos, most types need a tank thats 30 gallons in size, but there are smaller species (like bristlenose & clown plecos) that can live in a 20-gallon tank. Both stress and poor water quality can make it more likely that the fish will get infected. I have heard of RTC living out of water for 45 mins!!! we should definitely get more hiding spots. Most of these signs of death are preventable by monitoring the water conditions and performing weekly water changes. I just found my pleco upside down on the gravel. If your plecos seem to be losing color rapidly, then its a sign that theyre dying or getting very sick. I doubt this is the issue, but my pleco was acting odd, curving and swimming like he was intoxicated flying from one side to the other, no CO2, regular parameters, but I checked the temperature, like yours mine was breathing up a storm, but I raised the temp 4 degrees up and he was fine my temp dropped to 72, and he was going bananas, but after about 20 minutes I guess he caught a warm front and hugged the heater damn near. You shouldnt count the fish out completely just yet, though. The fish could have been on the verge of death for some time. Loss of color is a common sign that something is wrong with your plecos. I love my animals. While there are a lot of similarities between plecos types, there are also a lot of differences in terms of care. Yes this normally happens with Plecos. Can be seen here, incuding specific details and how-to's on some of my special features. All Rights Reserved. (his color blends in real well with the wall - and where he wedged himself in is hard to see unless you are looking for it. Check out the FishForums.net Monthly Often, people use aquarium salt to treat this issue, but you can always consult an exotic veterinarian if you have questions. Or can he be savedlaying on side at bottom of tank, Betta laying at bottom of tank, not eating, pale, barely breathing. Pleco catfish don't move . Without the tank cycled, there are no good bacteria to convert the ammonia into nitrates for live plants to consume. One of the most common questions I hear is why do my pleco likes to hide and not come out. Once mouth and gills are open, you'll need to resuscitate the fish by flushing water over the gills and there are a few ways of doing this. Pleco males usually fight to assert dominance and defend their territory. They like to hide normally so he is quite happy. Checking the water levels to ensure there are no harmful ammonia levels and correcting the problem with water changes will help your fish gain its movement back. If the chain is broken, this creates dangerous circumstances. The assumption is that plecos will simply eat the algae in the tank. Posted on Last updated: February 14, 2023. Youll want to fix issues with the oxygen levels being too low. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. When using tap water you need to use tap water conditioner. Checking the tank conditions and monitoring the fishs behavior are things you can do to determine the cause of the swelling. Read on to learn about the signs and symptoms, the causes, and treatment options for your pleco. If you are worried, you can try to move the pleco with your hands and see if it swims away. It still might take plecos a bit to feel bold enough to swim around. Does the fish appear to be gasping for air? This post may contain affiliate links. In order to keep your Pleco happy, you will need to ensure that the tank is heated and supplied with a filter. My Pleco Catfish doesn't MOVE or eat and I'm worried. You might see a pleco fish laying at the bottom of the tank motionless. How Often Should You Take Your Bearded Dragon Out Of Its Cage? Even the pleco was quite all right till yesterday. So I just went to put food in the fish tank. If all he is getting is algae (either fresh from the tank or wafer form) he may not be feeling very good. Do your best to give your plecos the right food based on what is recommended for their species. Over the years I have kept many tanks, and have recently begun getting more serious in wanting to become a professional aquarist. certain species have apparently demonstarted the ability to absorb oxygen into their blood through their stomac by swallowing it. Turn lights off and put in some bloodworm or something and then come back in five minutes with a torch. When I first set up my pressurized co2 system I was gassing my fish out. If you dont already have some in your tank, consider putting in some real. 0. I tried to prod him gently, but he still hasn't moved. (Possible Causes). Its very plausible that plecos can die due to not being fed properly. Most of them can be caused by poor water conditions in the tank. My betta is laying at the bottom of the tank and breathing heavily. Poor conditions in the tank can contribute to infections. Read on to learn about things to look out for that show that your plecos might be dying. When a pleco is not moving it can be a sign that the water has gotten too polluted or it is lacking food. If the fish isnt moving or breathing, its possible that its dead. If your pleco is gulping at the surface, it doesnt have enough oxygen and is suffocating. Cloudy eyes in fish appear as a white cast or film over the eye. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. Its also important to clean the fish tank and do regular water changes to avoid throwing the water parameters off. Feed food before lights out and he is likely to come out when it is dark to feed. This will make you assume that its dead. This way, you can manage them and check for potential diseases. You might even be concerned that the plecos are dying if things are going particularly bad. When the fish tank stays dirty, its going to cause stress to the fish, and that will make them sick. Taking care of baby plecos can be challenging in some ways. You may see this in plecos that don't get enough to eat. Its also possible that plecos will lose color when experiencing significant stress. Keep the filter, heater, and lights on for long enough periods of time to ensure their comfort. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! He was struggling really hard, and ended up tipping upside-down, fighting his way up to the surface, and all kinds of things. There has to be something wrong. Today he seems very docile. If you want your plecostomus to be more active, one suggestion is to provide it with live plants and driftwood to use as hiding spots, feed it live insects and invertebrates, and offer it a variety of tank mates. If this is not taken care of, it will cause your fish to die. When my pleco sleeps on his back, it is usually under a wood or in a dark spot, where he wont be bothered. He is still alive. he has been banging in to the top of the tank really hard. If the pleco is not moving but breathing, then there are several things that could be happening. When a pleco fish dies in the fish tank, itll stop moving and itll float. Infections are usually caused by the various bacteria and parasites that may be present in the tank. One day, I was excited to see the male had trapped the female in a cave, so I was expecting some babies.However, the next morning I waked up noticing the fish death in the cave. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It may not display this or other websites correctly. A swollen belly with pleco catfish is caused by constipation or even worse, dropsy. In some circumstances, plecos can get really aggressive towards each other. Tank mates: one guppy, one otocinclus.. in a 20 gallon tank. Hello, I have this pleco for like 6 months. My name is Jeff, and my goal with this site is to share everything I've learned over the years about caring for aquatic life. Malnutrition can also lead to constipation, especially when too much protein is fed. An oxygen deficit can be caused by a nitrite/ammonia spike, high temperatures, or a broken filter. This disease is called ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) and can be fatal if not treated. Fish that are acclimated in this fashion become comfortable in new tanks faster. Pleco catfish are often kept in the aquarium hobby because, Plecos and cory catfish are two extremely popular catfish species, Pleco catfish are one of the most popular fish in, Pleco spawning Plecos are cave-breeders, and they spawn exclusively in, For a limited time, you can download our FREE pleco catfish ebook, 2022 KeepingCatfish.com - Privacy policy Webdesign by Websmart Websites. Having more females than males also helps. Fin rot is caused by underlying conditions such as bacterial infection. Of course, itll be prudent to try to touch the fish to see if it moves. Why is my pleco hiding behind the filter? 1 - Loss of Color. I'm not entirely sure the kind of pleco as I didn't buy him but I think he is a common pleco. My fish is breathing slowly and is laying at the bottom of his tank on his side. However, a stressed pleco catfish can be recognized by a few things: A stressed pleco is most likely the result of an insufficient tank setup, bad water quality and or conflicts with other fish or plecos. Physical damage. This disease is not contagious but should be treated or death will follow. I wouldn't worry too much about yours! Quarantining and giving medicine is the most effective way to cure this disease. Both eyes will appear to protrude if there is an infection present. He might be guarding eggs or trying to entice a female to breed with him. Diseases and Treatment. It is a disease that causes fluid build-up in the eye socket, resulting in the eyes protruding out of the socket. Infections can be remedied by giving the fish medications. The tank is now highly planted, and he's very fast. Try touching the fish and see if it reacts. Loss of color, rotting fins, and white spots on its body are some of the common signs that a pleco might be dying. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what, Most of the pleco species sold and kept in the. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month. Sick goldfish not moving but breathing/alive. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. I don't know what ever happened to him, but he was ONE TOUGH FISH. It is important to research food options for your pleco because some brands have more harmful ingredients than good. Sometimes the fish might even be upside down. Have you bought the pleco in question within the last week or so? They can also take advantage of other opportunities that come with darkness, like avoiding predators. Adding fish without acclimating them causes shock. Also, you should make sure that he has a heater, filter, oxygen and all the basics. A fish dying during the night doesnt necessarily indicate that something happened the very night that it died. How To Know whether your pleco is dying, and the solutions for it. Plecos do not have scales and they tend to rot really fast when they die, so as was mentioned above, you. I had a big common pleco that lived for over 10 years in a 30 gallon tall along with. Take any remaining fish out of the water and keep them somewhere safe. Open the lid of the tank and turn on the artificial lights. Please help! You can feed the fish foods that are high in fiber to clear it up. If youre not taking good care of the tank, then the fish might die. A pleco might choose to remain very still and stay in the same spot all day. One of the biggest myths is also that plecos clean your tank. Fixing the water conditions will usually be enough to get the fish to become more active again. I had this fish gang for 2 years together now, with only minor The Complete Answer, Can Plecos And Shrimp Live Together? Here are some tips on how you can notice a sick pleco thats possibly even dying. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. I feed my fish with a dim light on in the room so they are used to light and I can check them over for disease without disturbing them because they think it is the sun setting. I have seen this behavior once before and today, its happening again. When you dont treat this disease, it can cause the fish to lose vision or even lose the eye. We found him on the carpet under his bed and it looked pretty dead. Theres nothing wrong with a pleco than has a rounded belly (its in fact healthy) but if it looks bloated, this is bad. Its a sign that something is wrong, and you might need to make some changes. JavaScript is disabled. Wouldn't the fish survive for at least a few days even if it was suffering from a disease? Plecos can stay in the same place for long periods of time, or move and go back without you knowing it. Increasing the temperature in the sick fishs tank is another way to combat the disease and aid recovery. Poor water conditions usually cause bacterial infections. Plecos are freshwater fish that need to live in water that is between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius (72-82F). He (or she) is normally pretty active, being a good vacuum cleaner for the tank. I drop an algae wafer in every other day and he usually jumps right on it but since he stays in his little all the time now Im not sure if he eats it. Plecos are notoriously difficult to remove from a tank, its not uncommon for people to spend hours trying to find the perfect device or method to catch this fish. They do generaly but if it is stunted then I would say I lived to its maximum potential given the circumstances. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Not real sure though since don't feel like doing an experiment. This happened all of a sudden. At the petstore, which of course is just a pet store. Alright, Ill try zucchinI and see if he likes it. Perhaps it seems lethargic and it might even be laying on its side. If your fishs eyes appear to be bulging out of its head, it may be suffering from pop eye or exophthalmos. Experts Answer, How To Raise Pleco Babies (Full Guide With Pictures), Cory Catfish Tank Mate Guide (+ 11 Best Tank Mates For Cory Catfish), The Ideal & Healthiest Diet For Cory Catfish, Odd Corydoras Behavior & Stress Explained (Full Guide). Im experienced in the fishkeeping hobby for many years. Especially because plecos love oxygen-rich water (they often live in fast-flowing streams and rivers) adding an airstone or pointing your filter outlet in a way that it creates bubbles is useful. Moving forward, it should be easier to look out for problems with the fish. This guy lasted about 10 years. I would be more concerned if I touched him and he didn't swim away. If you discover one of your fish has popeye, check the water levels to determine if that is the cause. Can I do something to help? Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month and more! What kind of pleco is he? As you can tell, its important to treat things as soon as you can. Problems can occur when caring for plecos. If it truly isnt moving at all, then there is a good chance that the fish is dead. If an injury is to blame, then it might get better on its own if you keep feeding the fish and monitoring the tank conditions carefully. Why Did My Pleco Die and How to Prevent the Fish from Dying? Plecos are strong swimmers, so it may be necessary to have two people present in order to remove them quickly. It very well might be dead if it doesnt appear to be moving at all. If the water condition and bacterial infections caused the situation, then youll need to fix those problems. Now the tank is in pretty bad shape (were working on it!) I know Elbert, that handsome fellow over there in my avatar really loves shrimp pellets and occasionally freeze dried blood or tubifex worms. If it doesnt move if you try to touch it, then its truly dead. Some plecos will swim upside down because they want to eat the food on the surface of the water. Most of the time, a pleco laying on its back or side is normal as they sometimes rest in this position. Baby plecos have been known to die when the water temperature fluctuates too much. This can happen to one eye or both. Poor water conditions usually cause bacterial infections. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. They arent necessarily fish that will swim around and show off for you during the day under normal circumstances. His very favorite food though is fresh raw zucchini. Hopefully, this will never happen in your fish tank. Plecos are supposed to be fairly hardy fish, other reasons why a pleco might start floating. When my pleco went nuts, the pH had dropped to 6.8 and the drop checker was very yellow. I would watch him closely, make sure he eats. Since yesterday, he's just been laying on the floor of the tank, so I don't think he's eaten anything. If your plecos dont seem to be doing so well, then youre probably disheartened. If your plecos fins start to rot or decay, it is important to act quickly as this can spread to the fishs body. I think it may be that the paleness is a better indicator of excessive CO2 than the gasping at the top is. Always supply food in the presence of light to the baby fish. AquariaCentral.com, a division of Monster Aquaria Network, LLC. These fish simply arent active during the day. My pleco just pretty much hangs out in the same spot almost all day, as Gee mentioned they're nocturnal. If you cant see your pleco at all, it may be hiding in the substrate or in the plants. My male sits in his cave or in front of it to attract the ladies. Some people may find their pleco to be more active if they feed it live worms or move it to a bigger tank. You can tell if a pleco is dead by looking to see if its breathing. Most plecostomus species are nocturnal, meaning that they are more active at night than during the day. Cloudy eye is caused by bacteria and if your pleco is under stress, has had an injury, or lower immune system it can come up. However, if your pleco is dying: They may exhibit unusual or distressed behavior, such as rapid breathing, lethargy, or loss of appetite. You need to feed the fish the right type of food to keep them alive and healthy. Pleco fish are amazing animals and very interesting for aquarists. However, if you tap the fish tank, itll likely spring up and start swimming. Another result of starvation might be aggression, or your pleco sucking on the slime coat of fish like we sometimes see with goldfish. My fish isnt moving. I don't have a picture but he looks kind of like this: Since he is a common pleco he is going to grow too big even for a 90 gallon (plus the waste he produces), if you would like we can help you pick out a medium sized pleco that will fit in with your other fish if you are willing to rehome your current pleco. If you offer them a place where they can feel safe, such as a dark spot under an ornamental plant, they will often come out to visit with you. Full Pleco Breeding Guide (Everything You Need to Know). Also, does he have any places to hide? They are seriously chill dudes lol. Put him in the 10g quarantine tank, along with the current population (3 lemon tetras, 2 bronze cories, one oto). Threw him in the tank anyway and it survived. If your pleco fish doesnt appear to be moving, youre likely going to be incredibly concerned. However, they still require feeding two times a week to have a balanced diet. If your pleco has a sunken belly, its starving due to malnutrition. Sometimes plecos that can't breathe well will float near the surface of the water. We are a family friendly community with an incredible resource of information for fish owners and enthusiast alike. There are over 100 species of plecos, so it is essential to do your research to learn the best source of nutrition for your pleco species. Most likely, the fish have fin rot due to poor water conditions in the tank. Jun 21, 2005 #1 I have about a 3" pleco in a 10 gallon tank. The fish might be very sick and it feels unable to move. There are even plecos that are considered to be carnivorous. FishForums.net is one of the internet's oldest and premier Tropical Fish and Aquarium forums! Check the tanks temperature to ensure it is between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This gave me false readings that my water had hardly any co2 in it. Knowing what signs to look out for might allow you to turn things around before its too late. This can make it very tough for the fish to swim around normally. Ive put this first on the list because its probably the most frequently made a mistake. They like to hide normally so he is quite happy. Cloudy eye is caused by bacteria and if your pleco is under stress, has had an injury, or lower immune system it can come up. !My betta fish isnt moving but he is alive. No matter what we did, he would'nt come out. Since plecos are a type of catfish, they feed off of algae. Some will also cause fish to have a hard time breathing. API Liquid Super Ich Cure is another product you can purchase to treat ich. Why is My Pleco Not Eating? If your pleco is gulping at the surface or swimming up and down the tank to reach for oxygen, this is a severe problem. Did you just get him? If your pleco is breathing more rapidly, it can be because of various reasons: Make sure to test your water parameters for a nitrite/ammonia spike as this extracts oxygen. The pleco has stayed motionless in the same spot and position for a few weeks and I started wondering if it was dead so this morning I took a net and stuck it near him and he freaked out, swam around and went back to the same spot. Malnutrition can make plecos get sick, and they will certainly die if you dont feed them enough. You can get something called Stress Coat at the pet store, it basically removes any chlorine that may be in your water, it has also been proven to reduce fish stress. Rotting fins is a sign that your fish have some type of bacterial infection. Hes in a seperate bowl. Do your best to determine what is wrong with the fish. For example, a temperature fluctuation could have killed the fish. Pleco upside down and breathing but not moving. Water quality problems will sometimes cause plecos to develop a condition known as cloudy eye. Highly recommend algae wafers. Fish laying on its side in the bottom of the tank. If you arent regularly testing the water using a pH balance testing kit, then youre going to have a harder time keeping the fish alive. Ich is a condition that involves the fish being infected by parasites. Fish can only tolerate 5% water changes every couple of hours, so make sure that you leave enough time between water changes so that your fish does not go into shock. I think that it is nothing to worry about. A male with eggs/ babies may stay in the cave for several weeks without eating. I think it is just tired or not used to your tank try turning the lights off. Check your water parameters as this is the most likely cause. You always want to do the best job that you can when taking care of fish. Checking your tanks levels and temperatures will help you determine if the tanks conditions are unsafe for your pleco. Please help. Unlike cory catfish, which breathe air and for whom its normal to gulp air, plecos dont normally do this. Plecostomus is a type of suckermouth catfish that excretes massive amounts of waste. Its very uncomfortable for the plecos, and they might rub against objects in the tank in an attempt to find relief. This can happen to any fish if it does not have enough oxygen in its environment, if it is too cold or hot, or if the water quality has deteriorated. He flaps his fins about once e Help, my guppy is lying on its back and isnt moving but is still alive. Look at the fish closely and try to see if its gills are moving. You might not be feeding them enough either. The most common cause of this is poor water conditions. Youll also learn about why plecos might die so that you might be able to turn things around moving forward. This makes it easier for them to get bacterial infections. Juts curious - as I was doing a water change today and about 10 minutes into it I noted my true Albino Bristlenose Ancistrus wedged in between my rock wall - and my overflow box at the top of the tank. Vampire plecos need to be fed meaty foods such as shrimp and snails. The fish might be very sick and it feels unable to move. Another reason for a pleco not moving is that it is dead. There are many things to consider, and you dont want to ignore signs that your fish are in trouble. As long as they are damp or wet they can live for probably 20-30 minutes. I had a pleco who lived out of water for 12 mins! They won't necessarily be dead yet, but they'll be struggling to try to breathe. 2 - Rotting Fins. They take a full breath, in and out, about 6 times a second. Thats because theyre quite withdrawn fish that dont want to show when theyre sick (otherwise, predators will notice).
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