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.). Both eyes will appear to protrude if there is an infection present. Another result of starvation might be aggression, or your pleco sucking on the slime coat of fish like we sometimes see with goldfish. Fish laying on the bottom of the tank and breathing deeply require action as soon as possible. Stress will make fish stop moving and acting normally, too. Vampire plecos need to be fed meaty foods such as shrimp and snails. How To Know whether your pleco is dying, and the solutions for it. If this is not taken care of, it will cause your fish to die. 3. Why would a pleco fish stop moving entirely? Although water conditions are the primary cause of these symptoms, low water temperature can also be a cause. While in fact, there are hundreds. He does not even move if I touch him with a net, he just moves his tail a little. I would be more concerned if I touched him and he didn't swim away. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! Diseases and Treatment. This makes it easier for them to get bacterial infections. Now he's a happy camper. If you notice your pleco is breathing rapidly or gulping at the surface, its most likely because of an oxygen deficit. Good luck. . I think it is just tired or not used to your tank try turning the lights off. Rotting fins is a sign that your fish have some type of bacterial infection. Open the lid of the tank and turn on the artificial lights. 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. You are using an out of date browser. 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. Posted on Last updated: February 14, 2023. Pleco Not Moving but Breathing. 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. Plecos do not have scales and they tend to rot really fast when they die, so as was mentioned above, you. When my pleco sleeps on his back, it is usually under a wood or in a dark spot, where he wont be bothered. It can hard to know whether your pleco is stressed, as theyre quite withdrawn fish. Make sure to ask your fish store whether they have quarantined the fish already. Scraping off small pieces and the biofilm growing on them is beneficial for their digestive system. Plecostomus is a type of suckermouth catfish that excretes massive amounts of waste. Taking care of baby plecos can be challenging in some ways. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. Because of excitement, plecos can also breathe more rapidly after a water change. Ouwch. 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. Today he seems very docile. I know that this thread was posted in 2003 but I just wanted to revive it as we had an accident with 2 of our pleco's today, a bristlenose and a dwarf clown pleco. Learn more. Im not sure if somethings wrong or not. Its also important to clean the fish tank and do regular water changes to avoid throwing the water parameters off. I have another one and don't want to lose both. Im blogging mostly about freshwater and saltwater aquariums, fish, invertebrates, and plants. Cloudy eyes will be a sign that the fish is being kept in bad water. What are some signs that your pleco is dying? 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. 3. Do your best to give your plecos the right food based on what is recommended for their species. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. Test to see if your ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are too high. 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. Does this mean that something happened during the night? I did my weekly 50% water change with my regular EI dosing which didn't bother him at all. 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. My husband's pleco often does this. It is the most common disease in tropical fish, like plecos, and is likely caused by poor water conditions. This is absolutely not true. He is still breathing, but he doesn't move when I approach him, only if I touch him. Quarantining fish is one of the most forgotten things in the hobby. Why is my pleco hiding behind the filter? It's just another misleading thing that pet stores advertise. (By Species), Breeding Pleco Catfish Guide With Pictures, Cory Catfish And Plecos Tank Mate guide, Do plecos bury themselves? They clean algae, but they make a bigger mess in your tank. Jun 21, 2005 #1 I have about a 3" pleco in a 10 gallon tank. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month. If possible it would be advisable to move the pleco to a nursing tank away from other fish. My drop checker had pretty much all of the air OUT of the "exchainge" area, in it's place was water. Loss of color, rotting fins, and white spots on its body are some of the common signs that a pleco might be dying. When the fish tank stays dirty, its going to cause stress to the fish, and that will make them sick. Keeping pleco catfish in an aquarium can be a good. 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. I don't want to lose him but I don't want him to suffer. A fish that doesnt react to being touched is probably dead. 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. You also have to keep in mind that theyre nocturnal. Help!! Check the tanks temperature to ensure it is between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Why Does My Pleco Always Hide and Never Come Out? - The Aquarium Adviser Also, does he have any places to hide? This can happen to one eye or both. Make sure to test your water if there are any abnormalities. Keep reading to know more. Ich is a condition that involves the fish being infected by parasites. You called it a he is it actually male? Home > Plecos > Care > 11 Signs Your Pleco Is Dying [+ How To Save It]. Fish tank Pet fish Pet Animals and Pets. They like to hide normally so he is quite happy. Why is My Fish Laying On the Side? - Aquarium Hunter This can happen to any fish if it does not have . Paleness is certainly a distress symptom. Then the water got cloudy and that is when they started breathing heavy. However, if you tap the fish tank, itll likely spring up and start swimming. Nutrition might be playing a role in the fish dying as well. Isolating the fish and fixing the problems source is imperative to save your pleco. Just like any other fish, they need a certain environment to feel good. Of course, some of the fish might simply have genetic issues. 2 - Rotting Fins. 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). Tank of the Month, If the fish is not moving, then there are no signs of life, such as breathing or eating, then it has likely died. If you have an aquarium with plecos and/or snails at, Many aquarists doubt they can keep plecos and shrimp together. I had similar problems when I had a faulty regulator. Many different types of illnesses will make fish feel lethargic. 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. All you need to do is solve the issues that are making the fish sick. (Per Species Guide), The 7 Biggest Giant Pleco Species You Didnt Know About, Do Plecos Eat Plants? Plecos that like to eat algae such as bristlenose plecos will need to be fed as well. 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. Breeding bristlenose plecos is certainly an exciting thing to do. Sometimes plecos that can't breathe well will float near the surface of the water. However, like any fish, they can develop sickness too. They will eat some algae but they need more than that to stay healthy. Low immune system. When you dont treat this disease, it can cause the fish to lose vision or even lose the eye. "We are living on this planet as if we have another one to go to". This is normal behavior when the fish is just introduced to a fish tank. This can be a sign of an internal infection due to injury or the food its been eating. It very well might be dead if it doesnt appear to be moving at all. Regular water changes and cleaning the tank will also help your Pleco stay healthy. Fast forward to the next day. Thanks, Tex Gal. Check your water parameters as this is the most likely cause. If this is the case do a 25% water change as soon as possible. How can I make my plecostomus more active? This means that this fish only comes out a. Its wise to isolate the fish during the treatment process by setting up a quarantine tank. Usually, rapid breathing is caused by some pollutant or toxic in the water. What does it mean when a pleco fish dies overnight? Silly fish. You need to feed the fish the right type of food to keep them alive and healthy. The better stores will do, so in that case you dont have to. Also, algae is starting to grow on the glass so I dont think that hes roaming around much at night either. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. It could simply be that the pleco fish succumbed to an illness during the night. Many people mistakenly think that plecos dont need to be fed. When plecos are just getting used to a new environment, theyre going to be rather skittish. I know Elbert, that handsome fellow over there in my avatar really loves shrimp pellets and occasionally freeze dried blood or tubifex worms. Just laying on the bottom. If this is not taken care of, it will cause your fish to die. 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. He just started acting crazy the last couple of days. Its normal for these fish to hide and be very wary of venturing out. Adding an oxygen source also helps. Try to fix this issue by isolating the fish and fixing issues with the water quality. There has to be something wrong. 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. If the oxygen levels get really low, plecos might stop moving. Plecostomus fish, commonly called plecos, are relatively easy to take care of. How is your pleco doing Vicki? This disease is not contagious but should be treated or death will follow. Put the torch on dim and slowly turn it up and the Plec is there. 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. Checking and monitoring the levels, temperature and pH will ensure the tank has the proper conditions for your pleco. This way, you can manage them and check for potential diseases. Infections can be treated by isolating the sick fish and consulting your vet to determine the proper treatment. How long can a Pl*co survive out of water | AquariaCentral.com Most of them can be caused by poor water conditions in the tank. How to solve a problem like resuscitating an escaped fish You want to do the best job that you can while caring for plecos. If your plecos seem to be losing color rapidly, then its a sign that theyre dying or getting very sick. If you get no response, the fish is surely dead. We are a family friendly community with an incredible resource of information for fish owners and enthusiast alike. whats wrong? WHats wrong? Plecos are supposed to be fairly hardy fish, and this likely made you confident enough to purchase some even as a beginner. If your temperature and pH are out of this range, you need to take steps to remedy the situation. If there are no good bacteria, harmful levels of ammonia can build up quickly as plecos produce a lot of waste. We need the oxygen to flow and the current from a filter or movement of . Did you just get him? Like fin rot, Ich may appear due to poor tank conditions. You should be changing 15% of the water on a weekly basis. 7 Menacing Signs Your Pleco Is Dying - 2023 - Learn About Pet The cause of most of these symptoms stems from the water conditions. Water parameters good? If your pleco is sleeping: They will typically be in a motionless or relaxed position, with their fins and gills not moving as much as usual. Take any remaining fish out of the water and keep them somewhere safe. Nitrite is the most dangerous, and should always be at 0 ppm. Ammonia and nitrites build up then bacteria build up to convert them into something less harmful to fish. Of course, its often human error that causes plecos to die in fish tanks. Using a tiny pointed tool, such as a pair of tweezers, slightly open the mouth and slightly loosen the gill covers. All Rights Reserved. This is of course innocent. My pleco just pretty much hangs out in the same spot almost all day, as Gee mentioned they're nocturnal. Just keep an eye on him. Fin rot is a common infection among aquarium fish. My leopard gecko is not moving and I am really worried It is important to research food options for your pleco because some brands have more harmful ingredients than good. 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. Always supply food in the presence of light to the baby fish. Checking temperature and pH levels is also essential because the water needs to be at a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Aren't the nitrates a tad on the high side? You might need to address water quality issues. You should be able to keep plecos alive for many years with proper care. If the fish is still alive, it should move when you touch it. Look at the fish closely and try to see if its gills are moving. Poor pleco got nudged accidentally with the hose, though, and he's having a -really- hard time swimming. The fish might be very sick and it feels unable to move. Fish Lore's aquarium fish forum - aquarium hobbyists helping hobbyists since 2005! I would watch him closely, make sure he eats. Foods that sink to the bottom where the plecos can eat them. We have a separate article all about Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), so be sure to check it out. So I just went to put food in the fish tank. Check the water quality and try to fix anything that is wrong. Plecos thrive in a tank setup with a variety of different natural covers, like pleco caves, stones, and driftwood. he sound fine, try touching himand he will probably swim away. Ill go over how to tell if your pleco is dying, the underlying causes of those symptoms, and how to prevent them from dying in the future. Plecos are supposed to be fairly hardy fish, other reasons why a pleco might start floating. The Plecos never attack the food of other fish during such sessions. This is perfectly normal behavior for plecos. Please help! 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. To test if your pleco is dead or not, you can try to touch it and see whether it reacts. My guppy is laying on its side at the bottom of the tank and still moving. They should be living for a very long time under your care. You might not be feeding them enough either. They will hide, or just freeze like a rock if they think they are in danger or are freaking out. Regular water changes are an important part of fish tank maintenance. Feeding your fish de-shelled peas or other foods high in fiber can help decrease the swelling. You see, plecos are nocturnal fish that like to hide and rest during the day. My pleco is not sucking anything please help!!! When one of us would pack it in for a while we would pass this one pleco to another person. I like your, I found it interesting when you explained how you'd bond with your pet snake and improve recognition. When I first set up my pressurized co2 system I was gassing my fish out. Fish Lore is an amazon affiliate and some pages may contain links to aquarium related products on amazon: Affiliate Disclosure. If the plecos are in a community fish tank, then itll be important to ensure that they are kept only with compatible tank mates. Do not . They can also take advantage of other opportunities that come with darkness, like avoiding predators. You really dont want to end up with a whole tank of death fish because you put in one sick fish. Sadly, my pleco died that night. I also asked my lfs and he said they are MOST active at night. Did you add any new fish recently, particularly any wild caught or F1s? You may see this in plecos that don't get enough to eat. Youll be able to fix things before they get bad so that your fish will stay alive. Fish are fascinating creatures, and although some are easy to take care of, that doesnt eliminate the possibility of them developing a sickness. They love to eat, and you should try to feed them as much as you can. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more! (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. Barely breathing! Plecos turn white for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: poor nutrition, disease, stress, or inadequate tank conditions. One or both eyes might wind up being covered by a white or gray slime. Is it dying? Im experienced in the fishkeeping hobby for many years. The assumption is that plecos will simply eat the algae in the tank. Pleco fish are amazing animals and very interesting for aquarists. i know hes alive because if i try and move him he will swim away, What do i do? Add an airstone if your filter doesnt create enough surface movement. I think it may be that the paleness is a better indicator of excessive CO2 than the gasping at the top is. If the temperature of the water gets too low, then that could kill them. Plecos need to be kept in fish tanks with high oxygen levels. Now that weve gone over the symptoms, its time to find the cause of these problems. If your pleco is gulping at the surface or swimming up and down the tank to reach for oxygen, this is a severe problem. Hello guys, thx for your answer and sry for my late reply. One of the most common questions I hear is why do my pleco likes to hide and not come out. Your pleco may also be stressed due to their tank mates. High ammonia and nitrates will cause your fish to lay on its side or lack normal movement around the tank. ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH? Do you see the gills moving at all or are they truly motionless? As long as nothing appears to be wrong with the fish, its not necessary to worry. Your fish may be suffering from ich if their skin appears to have white dots that look like salt or sugar flakes. Abdominal swelling can be caused by many things including the following: stress, tank conditions, and constipation. Does he look as tough he's thin or sick? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Pleco catfish don't move a lot he started they're nocturnal. Or can he be savedlaying on side at bottom of tank, Betta laying at bottom of tank, not eating, pale, barely breathing. Can Betta Fish Live With Guppies And Tetras? In addition, there are specific treatments you can purchase to help your fish suffering from diseases like rotting fins and ich. It still might take plecos a bit to feel bold enough to swim around. Make sure to add plenty of caves and natural hiding spaces if you keep multiple males in the same tank. Yes this normally happens with Plecos. Plecos are freshwater fish that need to live in water that is between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius (72-82F). Here are some of my favorite foods for plecos (make a selection suited for the species youre keeping). Its a quite common sight: a pleco laying on its back. Lastly, before or during spawning, plecos can breathe more rapidly since this is energy-consuming. T. Swearingen, http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=126, S.Barbatus & Black C. Schultzei breeding tank. Since plecos dont have scales, it can be hard to know whether its dropsy or not. Youll also learn about why plecos might die so that you might be able to turn things around moving forward. Isolate the fish and then treat it to try to get the swelling to go down. If you cant see the gills moving, this suggests that the fish is truly dead. For a limited time, download my pleco catfish ebook below on how to care for these beautiful animals. They do things at night and youre not going to see them scurrying about much when the sun is out. If your pleco is stressed, it may exhibit some of the following behaviors: Hiding is a natural defensive response for many fish. Over the past couple of days hes stayed in a little cave all day and night. Good Luck. For example, a temperature fluctuation could have killed the fish. If your pleco fish doesnt appear to be moving, youre likely going to be incredibly concerned. Baby plecos have been known to die when the water temperature fluctuates too much. My Pleco Is Laying On It's Side Still Breathing But Not Movi Even the tiny three-inch long zebra plecos are carnivores. Why is my Pleco Floating Upside Down? (4 Quick Solutions) If it doesnt move if you try to touch it, then its truly dead. If the chain is broken, this creates dangerous circumstances. When my pleco went nuts, the pH had dropped to 6.8 and the drop checker was very yellow. 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. The eyes may appear cloudy or bloody if an injury is the cause. Noticing whether your pleco has a sunken in belly can be hard, especially if you dont see it very often.
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