The symptoms you describe are exactly what I saw happening to mine. In some circumstances, plecos can get really aggressive towards each other. Plecos are supposed to be fairly hardy fish, other reasons why a pleco might start floating. 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. Quarantining fish is one of the most forgotten things in the hobby. We need the oxygen to flow and the current from a filter or movement of . It can get habitual to the routine, and they follow the owner's hand movements. JavaScript is disabled. You need to monitor the water parameters to keep things in check. Below, youll see some of the common signs that show that your pleco fish might be dying. You want to do the best job that you can while caring for plecos. Fish Lore is an amazon affiliate and some pages may contain links to aquarium related products on amazon: Affiliate Disclosure. Today he seems very docile. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Its also possible that plecos will lose color when experiencing significant stress. A swollen belly isnt a good sign. Im experienced in the fishkeeping hobby for many years. Its also imperative to regularly clean the fish tank. If your pleco has seemingly rips/cuts in its fins, its most likely fin rot. When the water quality is poor, itll weaken the immune system of the plecos. Small anekdote: I have a tank of zebra plecos (L46) (the fish that costs $200+ a piece). Although some plecos do like to eat algae, not all of them do. Just keep an eye on him. you read and agreed to the. My betta is laying at the bottom of the tank and breathing heavily. Why is My Pleco Not Eating? This way, you can manage them and check for potential diseases. When a pleco fish dies in the fish tank, itll stop moving and itll float. My Angel fish keeps laying on her side at the bottom of the My betta fish is laying on his side and breathing heavily, Is our Goldfish dying? The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder. Checking temperature and pH levels is also essential because the water needs to be at a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. The best way is to use a net or other implement to scoop them out of the water. Issues with water quality can stress the fish and make them sick. Recently, I watched. Feb 14, 2004. The problem may have been caused by the fish swallowing air, so pre-soak the fish food in the future to avoid this problem. If your fishs eyes appear to be bulging out of its head, it may be suffering from pop eye or exophthalmos. Youll be able to fix things before they get bad so that your fish will stay alive. If the water condition and bacterial infections caused the situation, then youll need to fix those problems. If you are worried, you can try to move the pleco with your hands and see if it swims away. Not related but kind of funny: I also have a Whiptail Catfish, if you're worried about fish that don't move, don't get one, they will just sit there even if another fish sits ontop of them or you touch them or anything. You also have to keep in mind that theyre nocturnal. An air pump is optional, but recommended to prevent your pleco from swimming up to the surface to gulp air. Just as important is what you put in the tank. By entering this site you declare These fish simply arent active during the day. This is absolutely not true. Taking care of baby plecos can be challenging in some ways. As long as nothing appears to be wrong with the fish, its not necessary to worry. So i cranked it up. Thanks, Tex Gal. If the fish is not moving, then there are no signs of life, such as breathing or eating, then it has likely died. One of the most common questions I hear is why do my pleco likes to hide and not come out. Fish that are acclimated in this fashion become comfortable in new tanks faster. If the fish is breathing, its likely that its simply resting. "We are living on this planet as if we have another one to go to". He is starting to show his age but. They arent necessarily fish that will swim around and show off for you during the day under normal circumstances. If your Pleco has been hiding from you for a long time, it may be because the water in the tank is too cold. As per him, he had that pleco for like 3-4 years. There are some cases where the pleco might have been injured by another pet in the tank, but most of the time they will recover on their own. Injury and stress can also cause cloudy eye issues. Just as "Avaselene" has mentioned, Cories do it all the time. I like your, I found it interesting when you explained how you'd bond with your pet snake and improve recognition. Many different types of illnesses will make fish feel lethargic. Put the torch on dim and slowly turn it up and the Plec is there. You might even be making the mistake of thinking that plecos can subsist entirely on algae in the tank. If your temperature and pH are out of this range, you need to take steps to remedy the situation. I had this fish gang for 2 years together now, with only minor 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. For example, a temperature fluctuation could have killed the fish. Im not sure if somethings wrong or not. It is a disease that causes fluid build-up in the eye socket, resulting in the eyes protruding out of the socket. If the pleco is not moving but breathing, then there are several things that could be happening. 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. Over the past couple of days hes stayed in a little cave all day and night. Turn lights off and put in some bloodworm or something and then come back in five minutes with a torch. Regular water changes and cleaning the tank will also help your Pleco stay healthy. Continue reading to learn about reasons why plecos might stop moving. Plecos are a type of tropical fish that need a heated tank with a filter. JavaScript is disabled. The white spot on it's eye sounds like some type of fungus. If the fish appears to be sick, then it might not be moving because it has some type of disease. Read on to learn about things to look out for that show that your plecos might be dying. Today, I found him lying on his back on the floor of the tank but he is still alive. Turned out, that fish wasn't a female but the male had trapped the less dominant male and choked him (though there were plenty of caves). just keep an eye on him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypostomus_plecostomus, https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/plecostomus.html, Why Is My Goldfish Turning Black? 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. A pleco cant survive off of algae and needs its own diet, apart from what you feed its tank mates. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I came over to his house about 4 hours later and noticed the plec was missing. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! If you can learn how to care for these fish properly, then they shouldnt be dying fast. They do things at night and youre not going to see them scurrying about much when the sun is out. The hardest test for a Pleco keeper is to get the Pleco addapted to his new home. ), -Research nutrition based on specific pleco species, fin edges turn black or brown and look frayed, have white dots (another possible symptom of ich). Pleco catfish don't move . Loss of color, rotting fins, and white spots on its body are some of the common signs that a pleco might be dying. This makes it easier for them to get bacterial infections. Always supply food in the presence of light to the baby fish. Even the pleco was quite all right till yesterday. Plecos are freshwater fish that need to live in water that is between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius (72-82F). Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more! Temperature levels, chemical levels, and pH could be contributing factors to poor water conditions. If your pleco's fins start to rot or decay, it is important to act quickly as this can spread to the fish's body. Over the years I have kept many tanks, and have recently begun getting more serious in wanting to become a professional aquarist. I have seen bottom dwelling loaches just get very pale and colorless when there is too much CO2 in the water. 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. One or both eyes might wind up being covered by a white or gray slime. If your pleco is losing its color and slowly turning white, this might be an indication that it's either sick or dying. I feed my Plec bloodworm, cichlid diet, sinking pellets, flakes and he eats algae. Do not . If the chain is broken, this creates dangerous circumstances. Youll also need to fix issues with water quality in the tank while solving stress problems. Isolate the fish and then treat it to try to get the swelling to go down. Stress. Just a thought Sayuz. Although water conditions are the primary cause of these symptoms, low water temperature can also be a cause. Mine in the day is under a log and will only come out if there is food. The Complete Answer, Can Plecos And Shrimp Live Together? White spots on the body can be seen as signs of ich. He may also fall sick due to anxiousness. There are actually many signs that show you that plecos are in rough shape. My pleco is laying on it's side still breathing but not moving. If this is not taken care of, it will cause your fish to die. Your pleco may be dying if it appears to have a bloated stomach. When plecos are just getting used to a new environment, theyre going to be rather skittish. It was not just one of my plecos but several. you read and agreed to the. Cloudy eyes will be a sign that the fish is being kept in bad water. When done cleaning he put them back in, minus the pleco that had jumped out of the bucket. It could also mean that the fish is constipated, though. If you give them a variety of hiding spots, a variety of plants, and a variety of tank mates, your pleco will most likely be happier and more active. You must log in or register to reply here. Change the Tank Water Frequently. 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. So I sighed, and accepted I was going to lose him. If the fish is unable to move, you'll need to be its gills for a while. He is breathing, but he isn't moving. Did you add any new fish recently, particularly any wild caught or F1s? Pleco Not Moving but Breathing. Try touching the fish and see if it reacts. There are common signs and symptoms among fish diseases that show your fish is battling more than just a common sickness. This can be a sign of an internal infection due to injury or the food its been eating. Many things can cause stress such as poor water conditions, overcrowded fish tanks, and incompatible tank mates. Unless you are bying a large (when grown on) species of pleco who is to say that it's a baby, unless this is visualy obvious. Sick goldfish not moving but breathing/alive. The way your one is laying is a bit worrisome. It creates an environment where the disease cannot grow or spread. 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. Just like any other fish, they need a certain environment to feel good. Why would a pleco fish stop moving entirely? The cause of most of these symptoms stems from the water conditions. When my pleco sleeps on his back, it is usually under a wood or in a dark spot, where he wont be bothered. Feed food before lights out and he is likely to come out when it is dark to feed. Water quality problems will sometimes cause plecos to develop a condition known as cloudy eye. Sometimes I will catch him moving about. Alright, Ill try zucchinI and see if he likes it. Tank of the Month, Thats because theyre quite withdrawn fish that dont want to show when theyre sick (otherwise, predators will notice). !My betta fish isnt moving but he is alive. I had a pleco who lived out of water for 12 mins! Just when we think we've lost him, he wriggles away to explore something new. If you discover one of your fish has popeye, check the water levels to determine if that is the cause. He was struggling really hard, and ended up tipping upside-down, fighting his way up to the surface, and all kinds of things. You can feed the fish foods that are high in fiber to clear it up. I have heard of RTC living out of water for 45 mins!!! Ammonia and nitrites build up then bacteria build up to convert them into something less harmful to fish. Although a cloudy eye most likely isnt deadly, it is an indicator that something is wrong and should at least be examined. There are various products that might treat it but as for your best option on products I don't know. Here are some of my favorite foods for plecos (make a selection suited for the species youre keeping). Why is my pleco hiding behind the filter? Its also possible that nothing is wrong at all. If your pleco is gulping at the surface, it doesnt have enough oxygen and is suffocating. I know one of my tetras had mouth fungus and I used aquari-sol and it took care of the problem. Often, people use aquarium salt to treat this issue, but you can always consult an exotic veterinarian if you have questions. I think it may be that the paleness is a better indicator of excessive CO2 than the gasping at the top is. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are three crucial parts of the nitrogen cycle of aquariums. This disease is called ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) and can be fatal if not treated. It might need a bit more time to get used to its new environment. Monitor your fishs feeding to ensure he is eating. Provide adequate space and decor (ornaments and positioning of objects) so there is no danger for your pleco. In pursuit of becoming a professional, I also want to inspire as many people as I can to pick up this hobby and keep the public interest growing.Read more about Sean.Please join also my Facebook group. Poor water conditions usually cause bacterial infections. You shouldnt count the fish out completely just yet, though. Problems can occur when caring for plecos. You really dont want to end up with a whole tank of death fish because you put in one sick fish. If the oxygen levels get really low, plecos might stop moving. Its very uncomfortable for the plecos, and they might rub against objects in the tank in an attempt to find relief. Poor water conditions, bacterial infections, and even injuries have been known to make this happen. The fish could be just fine since its resting during the day. Make sure to find the cause so that you can add antibiotics if needed. Unlike ich or fin rot, there are no medicinal treatments for cloudy eyes, as the problem will solve itself when the cause has been determined and fixed (water conditions, tank aggression, etc.). You might need to do a better job of doing regular water changes. An oxygen deficit is caused by one of the following reasons: A lack of oxygen should be reacted to immediately with a big water change and the addition of an airstone. It's good to get confirmation as to what happened. This post may contain affiliate links. Adding an oxygen source also helps. Make sure the tank has been cycled before introducing any fish to it so there are no dangerous spikes in the water. They take a full breath, in and out, about 6 times a second. It can be caused by elevated ammonia levels in the tank or an injury that resulted in a bacterial infection. If it was dead youd know it, lol. Fish could die due to being bullied by other fish as well. Abdominal swelling typically means that the fish has some type of internal infection. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month. Plecos arent known death, although they sometimes sleep on their backs which gives this impression. If the fish isnt moving or breathing, its possible that its dead. What should I do?! Huge plecos like this need A LOT of broccoli to survive ;). If the pleco is not moving but breathing, then there are several things that could be happening. Resting on the bottom of the tank or hiding in plants or other objects. If it truly isnt moving at all, then there is a good chance that the fish is dead. #3. Without the tank cycled, there are no good bacteria to convert the ammonia into nitrates for live plants to consume. I think you can see him in my signature pic. Breeding pleco catfish isnt as hard as you might think. If your pleco is gulping at the surface or swimming up and down the tank to reach for oxygen, this is a severe problem. Checking your tanks levels and temperatures will help you determine if the tanks conditions are unsafe for your pleco. Youll also get a bit of information about why these signs are occurring. A fish that doesnt react to being touched is probably dead. My pleco is not sucking anything please help!!! Plecos live in environments with temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. There are other reasons why a pleco might start floating, but its possible that the fish could be dead. Usually, rapid breathing is caused by some pollutant or toxic in the water. A filter is a must. A male with eggs/ babies may stay in the cave for several weeks without eating. This is constant. 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. I think that it is nothing to worry about. If your plecos fins start to rot or decay, it is important to act quickly as this can spread to the fishs body. People dont monitor the water parameters closely enough, which winds up killing the fish. if he is acting strange i would try to get him in a small treatment tank with lots of oxygen, dose a general med and salt would be a good start till you can figure out what is wrong with the little fella. Another result of starvation might be aggression, or your pleco sucking on the slime coat of fish like we sometimes see with goldfish. The Pleco is Bloated. Some will also cause fish to have a hard time breathing. Unfortunately, this is not true. Another reason for a pleco not moving is that it is dead. When a pleco is not moving it can be a sign that the water has gotten too polluted or it is lacking food. Ich is something that can be cured if you catch it in time. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what, Most of the pleco species sold and kept in the. It is the most common disease in tropical fish, like plecos, and is likely caused by poor water conditions. Please help! Can be seen here, incuding specific details and how-to's on some of my special features. Fixing constipation issues will be easy. I found a great deal on a queen arabesque pleco this week, so it's at home now. It's a common pleco and it' Why is my betta sitting by the heater not moving. Look at the fish closely and try to see if its gills are moving. This can make it very tough for the fish to swim around normally. My fish isnt moving. Fish are fascinating creatures, and although some are easy to take care of, that doesnt eliminate the possibility of them developing a sickness. However, like any fish, they can develop sickness too. Yes this normally happens with Plecos. Both stress and poor water quality can make it more likely that the fish will get infected. 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. Ich is a condition that involves the fish being infected by parasites. Supply food for the other fish during the day. We found him on the carpet under his bed and it looked pretty dead. Breeding bristlenose plecos is certainly an exciting thing to do. 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. A swollen belly with pleco catfish is caused by constipation or even worse, dropsy.
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