Sudden Illness In My Pleco! Help!

[Submariner]

I came home today to find my Pleco lying at the bottom of the tank, belly up. I thought he was dead, but when I came back into the room a few minutes later, he had turned over and moved a few inches. Now he's lying on his side.

I don't know what's wrong. I immediately treated my tank with Ick Away, since that's the only med I have on hand, and figured it couldn't hurt. My other fish seem ok. I'm going to do a full parameter test tonight, but I just did a water change Saturday, and my tank has been stable for months, so I can't imagine anything being off.

I did remove the driftwood I had in the tank a few weeks ago, which was where he hung out all the time, and seemed to do most of his feeding. My only thought is that he's starving to death, because my tank has been pretty much algae free ever since I cycled it 6 months ago. I have always put in an algae disc at night when I turn the lights off, but there's no way to tell if he eats any of it or the other fish do.

My tank IS overstocked, and I am trying to get another up and running, but I'm really short on aquaria money right now. I have been doing frequent water changes (once a week).

This is very sudden. The only strange behavior I've witnessed from him is that recently he's been out and about and on the glass almost all the time, when before he usually only came out at night. This is another reason I thought he might be starving.

My poor Ed. Any idea what might be wrong with him?

 

[Pure]

How large is he? Did his tummy look sunken in?

The hanging on the glass is normally a stress reaction to something and that could include starvation. Normally once the fish is settled in they do not do that often durring daylight hrs. IME with ones larger than a couple of inches anyhow.

 

[Submariner]

I didn't get a good look at him when he was on his back, I had just come in and was getting my 5 year old settled, putting stuff away, etc., so I don't know about the belly. Now he's on his belly, but still just lying on the bottom.

He's about 3 1/2 inches long or so, and I've had him for 6 months. Which means he hasn't grown much.

I also noticed that his eyes seem dilated or something- you know how Plecos usually have that yellow " u " in their eyes? Well it's spread out to the rim of the eye, if that makes any sense.

I'm really thinking it has something to do with removing the driftwood- if he's still alive tomorrow I'm going to try putting it back in. Will Plecos eat spinach? I was going to try dropping some right next to him.

 

[Pure]

Yes they will eat it and it is very good for them.

He is definatly not getting enough food. He should be 2 times that size by now. When you feed him make sure the lights are out and the room is dark. This not only will help him to feel more comfortable, but will also help keep the other fish from finding the tabs. One his size should be getting 3-4 tabs a night. They really are bottomless pits.

Altho driftwood is important to their digestion, this little bit of time without it should not be causeing any problems like what you are seeing.

Oh yeah most of your other fish should nibble at the spinach too.

 

[Submariner]

3-4 tabs a night? Wow! The package said one daily so I thought he was getting plenty. I'm going to go put some spinach in right now, and I'm also testing the water right now.

EDIT: Ok, parameters all check out-

Temp - 80F
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10
pH - 6.8 (which is normal and stable for my tank)

I've got spinach and another algae tab in there right now, and I shut the lights off. I'm afraid it's too late though, he's SO weak. I feel so bad about this, I thought everything was going great.

 

[Pure]

Keep us posted on his progress. As for the package. They have no idea how large your fish is or isn't. I think they just put that on there so that have "some" kind of directions. And keep it small just to be on the safe side.

You fish will tell you how much he needs. If you find leftovers in there the next morning cut back. No left overs add another one every night until you do find leftovers.

Eventually you just get a feel for how much they need at what size.

 

[Submariner]

It doesn't look good. He doesn't seem to be able to move enough to be able to get to any food before the other fish devour it. I've got a feeling we wont make it through the night. I'll post in the morning.

 

[Submariner]

He passed during the night. It was just too late to save him, I guess. Thanks for all your help, Pure.

 

[Pure]

Sorry man. Well least you tried. As much as it sucks, sometimes we break a few eggs.......ya know.

Now least you know a lil more, and will have better luck next time.

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Sorry that he died.