Keeping an eye on the water parameters and cleaning the tank regularly will help to prevent things like this from happening. This way, you can manage them and check for potential diseases. Thanks, Tex Gal. There are common signs and symptoms among fish diseases that show your fish is battling more than just a common sickness. I read that they loved blanched vegetables, so I have given them a cucumber slice the last three nights for about an hour and then took it out. I've haven't tried touching him by hand but when I touched him with a net it seemed like he tried to run away but couldn't. When a pleco lays motionless at the bottom of the tank it also means they might be getting beat up by other fish inside. Since plecos dont have scales, it can be hard to know whether its dropsy or not. If your Pleco has been hiding from you for a long time, it may be because the water in the tank is too cold. 3. Surprisingly, common plecos aren't meant for most home aquariums. Typically, loss of color is associated with poor tank conditions. 11 Signs Your Pleco Is Dying [+ How To Save It], Do Plecos Eat Snails? So I sighed, and accepted I was going to lose him. Sometimes fish will get like this when theyre sick. Ouwch. Any animal needs some time to get used to a new home and small lizards are often prey for bigger things. If there is no reaction, then the fish is truly dead. As per him, he had that pleco for like 3-4 years. Weve touched on the diet already, but heres some more in-depth information. How to solve a problem like resuscitating an escaped fish Filtration is crucial to keep your water parameters optimal, as pleco catfish are big polluters. Ammonia and nitrites build up then bacteria build up to convert them into something less harmful to fish. You can tell if a pleco is dead by looking to see if its breathing. Im experienced in the fishkeeping hobby for many years. If you get no response, the fish is surely dead. 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. Problems such as fin rot and pop eye can be dealt with so that the fish can get better. 5 Clear Signs Your Pleco Is Dying - Fur, Wings, & Scaly Things Cloudy eyes will be a sign that the fish is being kept in bad water. My Albino catfish does this all the time. This is the main reason why we cycle aquarium tanks. Pleco upside down and breathing but not moving : r/Aquariums - Reddit It isnt uncommon for some baby plecos to die even if youre doing your best to care for them. The fish could be just fine since its resting during the day. Scraping off small pieces and the biofilm growing on them is beneficial for their digestive system. Read on to learn about the signs and symptoms, the causes, and treatment options for your pleco. Its wise to isolate the fish during the treatment process by setting up a quarantine tank. My betta is laying at the bottom of the tank and breathing heavily. Does he look as tough he's thin or sick? So i cranked it up. Pleco fish are amazing animals and very interesting for aquarists. Adding an oxygen source also helps. If your temperature and pH are out of this range, you need to take steps to remedy the situation. You might not be feeding them enough either. If the fish is unable to move, you'll need to be its gills for a while. When you try to touch the fish, its going to react and swim away. Open the lid of the tank and turn on the artificial lights. Do Plecostomus Need A Filter / Air Pump? {Why Is My Pleco - HelpUsFish My pleco just pretty much hangs out in the same spot almost all day, as Gee mentioned they're nocturnal. certain species have apparently demonstarted the ability to absorb oxygen into their blood through their stomac by swallowing it. If the oxygen levels get really low, plecos might stop moving. The problem may have been caused by the fish swallowing air, so pre-soak the fish food in the future to avoid this problem. Molly lying on side on bottom of tank, moving very little. Water parameters good? The main pressure on the regulator has been dropping so I raised the main pressure in the regulator and then increased the bubble flow. Fish laying on its side, mouth open. Tap water contains chlorine and chlorimine that are toxic to fish. I would watch him closely, make sure he eats. Especially if they are in the breeding season. This makes it easier for them to get bacterial infections. I love my animals. Rapid temperature changes, irregular feeding schedules, and poor water conditions also contribute to stress in fish. Many enthusiasts say that plecos will play dead sometimes. They love to eat, and you should try to feed them as much as you can. Have you bought the pleco in question within the last week or so? Just keep an eye on him. How long can a Pl*co survive out of water | AquariaCentral.com FishForums.net is one of the internet's oldest and premier Tropical Fish and Aquarium forums! 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. As I said, the other fish are showing no signs of stress. They arent necessarily fish that will swim around and show off for you during the day under normal circumstances. There is a man that works at Petco who actually knows what he is doing, and when my friend asked about getting a common pleco for her 75g, he said he only recommends them in a 150 gallon tank or more to fully thrive. 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. It can hard to know whether your pleco is stressed, as theyre quite withdrawn fish. My husband's pleco often does this. The tank is now highly planted, and he's very fast. White spots may appear on your fish if it is sick. ), -Research nutrition based on specific pleco species, fin edges turn black or brown and look frayed, have white dots (another possible symptom of ich). from the previous caretakers who did a pretty bad job in taking care of fish so I wouldn't be suprised if it is sick or something like that. When a pleco is stressed, it lowers its immunity and increases the risk of fast death. Bloating isn't that difficult to identify. Are its gills moving or does it appear to be motionless? Pleco males usually fight to assert dominance and defend their territory. Alright, Ill try zucchinI and see if he likes it. This can be caused by not thoroughly cycling the tank before adding new fish. Good luck. He just started acting crazy the last couple of days. Posted on Last updated: February 14, 2023. What can I do? Use an algae pad to clean the sides of tank, and siphon out the water left inside. (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. A filter is a must. Always supply food in the presence of light to the baby fish. Many different types of illnesses will make fish feel lethargic. All you need to do is solve the issues that are making the fish sick. You are using an out of date browser. 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. To deal with any such situation, you should have the contact of a veterinarian in your new [], @Elise, yes I'm pretty sure that's normal I'm no professional and have not had one yet but I just have, My friend is considering adopting a unique pet he could showcase to his guests when they visit. Using a tiny pointed tool, such as a pair of tweezers, slightly open the mouth and slightly loosen the gill covers. My pleco is not sucking anything please help!!! It looks like he is taking his last breaths in only a day and that too without showing any symptoms of any disease. It creates an environment where the disease cannot grow or spread. It might be normal to see a pleco breathing but not moving. Abdominal swelling can be caused by many things including the following: stress, tank conditions, and constipation. He said that probably it was aged quite a lot. Make sure to test your water if there are any abnormalities. Knowing what signs to look out for might allow you to turn things around before its too late. If there are elevated levels of chemicals, perform small water changes for a couple of days to lower the concentration. I have another one and don't want to lose both. Plecos are strong swimmers, so it may be necessary to have two people present in order to remove them quickly. Learn more. The Plecos never attack the food of other fish during such sessions. If this is the case do a 25% water change as soon as possible. Jun 21, 2005 #1 I have about a 3" pleco in a 10 gallon tank. How is your pleco doing Vicki? We have a separate article all about Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), so be sure to check it out. They will eat some algae but they need more than that to stay healthy. 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. Youll also get a bit of information about why these signs are occurring. 7 Signs Your Pleco Is Dying and Needs Attention, The average life expectancy of plecos is between 10 and 15 years. You also have to keep in mind that theyre nocturnal. Over the years I have kept many tanks, and have recently begun getting more serious in wanting to become a professional aquarist. He is starting to show his age but. Does the fish appear to be gasping for air? Also, does he have any places to hide? If the fish appears to be sick, then it might not be moving because it has some type of disease. Make sure to find the cause so that you can add antibiotics if needed. They like to eat shrimp and bloodworms. Do your best to determine what is wrong with the fish. I hope he recovered. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! 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. Water parameters are good. You shouldnt count the fish out completely just yet, though. Sometimes Plecos can be a little shy and may hide from people, especially if they have been harassed by humans in the past. Both tanks are also a bit small for their inhabitants, so moving your Plec will overstock your Goldie tank. So I just went to put food in the fish tank. #3. Yes this normally happens with Plecos. You can feed the fish foods that are high in fiber to clear it up. Can Betta Fish Live With Guppies And Tetras? There are other reasons why a pleco might start floating, but its possible that the fish could be dead. A sunken belly is the result of the gut flora dying off and even though these fish are very hardy, it will lead to death. Just like any other fish, they need a certain environment to feel good. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Some will also cause fish to have a hard time breathing. What should I do?! If you cant see your pleco at all, it may be hiding in the substrate or in the plants. Are you noticing that your fish doesnt have a lot of pep? Clean your fish tank. Some people may find their pleco to be more active if they feed it live worms or move it to a bigger tank. Theres a good chance that youre not doing regular tank maintenance. Your pet store may have products that may do the job. JavaScript is disabled. Plecos are often misunderstood because they dont like to be shown off, which makes sense given their wild origins. Common pleco not moving after tank flush! Lastly, before or during spawning, plecos can breathe more rapidly since this is energy-consuming. If your pleco has a cloudy eye but acts normal, it will probably go away by itself. They do things at night and youre not going to see them scurrying about much when the sun is out. Start looking closely at the water parameters so that you can keep the fish safe. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. Many different types of illnesses will make fish feel lethargic. 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.). Now that weve gone over signs your pleco is dying, the most likely causes and solutions, its time to prevent it from happening in the future. You are using an out of date browser. One time a buddy was cleaning his tank and took all the fish out and put them in a bucket. Vampire plecos need to be fed meaty foods such as shrimp and snails. Malnutrition can also lead to constipation, especially when too much protein is fed. Youll also learn about why plecos might die so that you might be able to turn things around moving forward. pleco not moving but breathing Weve touched a little on improving the tank setup for your pleco catfish. Moving forward, it should be easier to look out for problems with the fish. If your plecos seem to be losing color rapidly, then its a sign that theyre dying or getting very sick. Without the tank cycled, there are no good bacteria to convert the ammonia into nitrates for live plants to consume. But the water parameters are checking out okay. If youre not taking good care of the tank, then the fish might die. It is usually an injury if it only occurs in one eye. Even the pleco was quite all right till yesterday. New pleco -- not moving. Problem? | Tropical Fish Forums When the water quality is poor, it'll weaken the immune system of the plecos. Regular water changes and cleaning the tank will also help your Pleco stay healthy. Check out the FishForums.net Monthly Try touching the fish and see if it reacts. Fish Lore is an amazon affiliate and some pages may contain links to aquarium related products on amazon: Affiliate Disclosure. 2 - Rotting Fins. Its very uncomfortable for the plecos, and they might rub against objects in the tank in an attempt to find relief. If you have an aquarium with plecos and/or snails at, Many aquarists doubt they can keep plecos and shrimp together. These fish enjoy hiding and they often stay in the same place at the bottom of the aquarium. "We are living on this planet as if we have another one to go to". Here are some tips on how you can notice a sick pleco thats possibly even dying. This gave me false readings that my water had hardly any co2 in it. Thats because theyre quite withdrawn fish that dont want to show when theyre sick (otherwise, predators will notice). Swim Bladder Disorder: How to Tell if Your Floating Pet Fish Is Dead When one of us would pack it in for a while we would pass this one pleco to another person. Good Luck. When my pleco went nuts, the pH had dropped to 6.8 and the drop checker was very yellow. 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. Full Pleco Breeding Guide (Everything You Need to Know). If you notice your pleco is breathing rapidly or gulping at the surface, its most likely because of an oxygen deficit. 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). Do your best to give your plecos the right food based on what is recommended for their species. Now that weve gone over the symptoms, its time to find the cause of these problems. This disease is not contagious but should be treated or death will follow. Small anekdote: I have a tank of zebra plecos (L46) (the fish that costs $200+ a piece). 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. Very bad water conditions might even directly kill the fish. This happened all of a sudden. If you catch some of the signs early enough, then itll be possible to turn everything around. If your plecos dont seem to be doing so well, then youre probably disheartened. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! i know hes alive because if i try and move him he will swim away, What do i do? When my pleco sleeps on his back, it is usually under a wood or in a dark spot, where he wont be bothered. The Pleco is Bloated. Poor pleco got nudged accidentally with the hose, though, and he's having a -really- hard time swimming. 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. The fish might be very sick and it feels unable to move. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. You must log in or register to reply here. Later in this guide, well go over the exact symptoms of dropsy. I'm not entirely sure the kind of pleco as I didn't buy him but I think he is a common pleco. Increasing the temperature in the sick fishs tank is another way to combat the disease and aid recovery. he has been banging in to the top of the tank really hard. They like to hide normally so he is quite happy. This could happen to any fish owner, so it is essential to understand the causes of these symptoms and how to treat them. Make sure to take notice of this behavior, and to check your water parameters to know whether there might be a cause for this. I also asked my lfs and he said they are MOST active at night. He is breathing, but he isn't moving. Plecos are supposed to be fairly hardy fish, and this likely made you confident enough to purchase some even as a beginner. My fish is alive and moving, but isnt breathing? High ammonia and nitrates will cause your fish to lay on its side or lack normal movement around the tank. 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. Take any remaining fish out of the water and keep them somewhere safe. An ammonia spike is one of the most likely causes of the sudden death of your pleco or other aquarium fish. Just keep an eye on him. Hello, I have this pleco for like 6 months. If your plecos fins start to rot or decay, it is important to act quickly as this can spread to the fishs body. Now the tank is in pretty bad shape (were working on it!) Fixing constipation issues will be easy. Stress. Barely breathing! Clean the gravel at the bottom of the tank with a gravel vacuum, and make sure any decorations are clean as well. If the fish is hiding among the plants or in a cave and not moving, thats perfectly normal. No matter what we did, he would'nt come out. ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH? Plecos live in environments with temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. 11 Signs Your Pleco Is Dying [+ How To Save It] | Keeping Catfish Plecos arent known death, although they sometimes sleep on their backs which gives this impression. My Pleco sits underneath the rock in my mini cave. The best way is to use a net or other implement to scoop them out of the water. He could still be in shock from the move. Loss of color is a common sign that something is wrong with your plecos. Im not sure if somethings wrong or not. Tank of the Month, Also having a water test kit for ammonia and nitrite will help greatly in knowing when to do water changes. Many plecos are omnivorous, meaning they need both plant-based foods and protein to thrive. He may also fall sick due to anxiousness. If it truly isnt moving at all, then there is a good chance that the fish is dead. (Possible Causes). When plecos are just getting used to a new environment, theyre going to be rather skittish. He could still be in shock from the move. Can I do something to help? It could simply be that the pleco fish succumbed to an illness during the night. 3. Check to see if anything is causing the fish stress. You need to feed the fish the right type of food to keep them alive and healthy. Having more females than males also helps. A pleco might choose to remain very still and stay in the same spot all day. Just as important is what you put in the tank. If this is the case do a 25% water change as soon as possible. Checking your tanks levels and temperatures will help you determine if the tanks conditions are unsafe for your pleco. If the fish is breathing, its likely that its simply resting. Why Did My Pleco Die and How to Prevent the Fish from Dying? I haven't added any decor nor moved anything. In most cases, it is poisoning by ammonia, nitrite, or other nitrogen. You want to do the best job that you can while caring for plecos. Check your water parameters as this is the most likely cause. It very well might be dead if it doesnt appear to be moving at all. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Plecostomus fish, commonly called plecos, are relatively easy to take care of. Its normal for these fish to hide and be very wary of venturing out. It was in a tank with Piranha and had scars on it, but after a while they left it alone. This behavior can also occur when fish are exposed to high temperatures. It is a disease that causes fluid build-up in the eye socket, resulting in the eyes protruding out of the socket. When a pleco lays motionless at the bottom of the tank it also means they might be getting beat up by other fish inside. Vote. For a limited time, download my pleco catfish ebook below on how to care for these beautiful animals. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. If you can learn how to care for these fish properly, then they shouldnt be dying fast. Ammonia and nitrites build up then bacteria build up to convert them into something less harmful to fish. Many things can cause stress such as poor water conditions, overcrowded fish tanks, and incompatible tank mates. Plecos are breathing WAY too fast!! - My Aquarium Club This typically isnt the case, and some plecos dont even eat algae. You should be testing the water parameters regularly to protect the fish. Abdominal swelling typically means that the fish has some type of internal infection. My Pleco did that for a while too. Perhaps it seems lethargic and it might even be laying on its side. My pleco is sick. :( | Freshwater Fish Disease and Health Forum T. Swearingen, http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=126, S.Barbatus & Black C. Schultzei breeding tank. My male sits in his cave or in front of it to attract the ladies. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It can be caused by elevated ammonia levels in the tank or an injury that resulted in a bacterial infection. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. 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. I tried to prod him gently, but he still hasn't moved. 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. My pleco is laying on his back and just moving his gills - Reddit I still don't know for sure what happened, but I'm going to blame the CO2. Can I Keep A Pleco With A Goldfish? | My Aquarium Club Check the tanks temperature to ensure it is between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. You should be changing 15% of the water on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, catching him would be all but impossible. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. Many people mistakenly think that plecos dont need to be fed. I like your, I found it interesting when you explained how you'd bond with your pet snake and improve recognition. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Aren't the nitrates a tad on the high side? An aquarium needs about 6 weeks to fully cycle before you add fish. The fish might be very sick and it feels unable to move. It's good to get confirmation as to what happened. If your pleco has a sunken belly, its starving due to malnutrition. JavaScript is disabled. If your fish is stressed, you may notice the loss of color in addition to the loss of appetite and abnormal swimming behaviors. 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. Test to see if your ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are too high. You may also notice your pleco laying at the bottom of the tank or chasing the other fish around. I had this fish gang for 2 years together now, with only minor My pleco is laying on it's side still breathing but not movi By entering this site you declare Regular water changes are an important part of fish tank maintenance. Mine doesn't get active til well after 10pm at night. Fin rot is caused by underlying conditions such as bacterial infection. If all he is getting is algae (either fresh from the tank or wafer form) he may not be feeling very good. However, if you tap the fish tank, itll likely spring up and start swimming. I found a great deal on a queen arabesque pleco this week, so it's at home now. 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.