Queen with sunken belly

[PlecoCollector]

I was able to observe the belly of my Queen Arabesque Pleco two weeks ago while she was sucking on the glass of the tank and noticed how sunken in it was. Since then, I've been feeding her extras sinking food, or at least trying too, since there are two other Plecs in the tank along with two Cories. I watch her eat, so I know she's not starving herself. Her eyes don't really appear sunken in either.

I gave them zuchinni this evening, watched her eat, and then caught her to take a look at her. Even after the extra food, her belly still appears to be sunken in.

Is there anything I can do get her more food? Do you really see any problems with this if I know she's eating? Thanks

 

[Fuzz16]

maybe its some sort of disease. i dont know much about plecs, but i know with, say, discus when they have a sunken belly then it could be internal parasites

 

[PlecoCollector]

I've had her for over a year and only recently has she come out of "hiding". None of my other plecs have this and the whole tank is healthy. But I suppose it's something to look into, thanks

 

[Fuzz16]

most internal infections are not contagious, so it wouldnt affect the other fish in there.
good luck and i hope she makes it

 

[Pure]

It's possibly internal parasites, or she may not be very comfortable in your tank. My queens are veracious eaters and immediately come out when food is dropped in the tank. All be it they have the tank to themselves.

I have had issues with some of the wild specimens not eating very well when I first got them. I isolated them in a breeding net until they acclimated better to life in the tank.

 

[PlecoCollector]

She always seems very comfortable; she has her little hiding spots and such. She does eat, alot- She's the first the come out and attack anything that drops to the bottom, until the Common pushes her aside that is. I really have no where else to put her though. She'd probably be happier in my Zebra tank, but I'm not quite up to taking that risk.