help asap please

[crazyredhead]

pleco is alive but floating up side down what do i do??

[crazyredhead]

now hes on the bottom his breathin is labored...

[crazyredhead]

bump any body?:(

[faun]

It might be water quality issues so do a big water change ASAP, check the temperature as well as your heater may have broken. Also what sort of pleco is it and how old is it?

[srhollis48]

I have plecos but never had any do that...... maybe not enough air...can you add more air to his tank???

[crazyredhead]

just a common, hes like 41/2 long .. ill try both air and extra water change

[crazyredhead]

ok did a 50% water change hes still actin that way .. could he have eaten a snail , would that do that too him?

[faun]

No i don't think eating a snail would do that. What other fish have you got in the tank? How big is your tank? Are any of the other fish acting strangely?

[crazyredhead]

no every one else is fin i have a 10 gallon kinda heavily stocked but just till i get my 40 fixed....
2x cory
1xbumbleebee goby
1x 2in rainbow shark
1x2in horse face loach
1x angel and my poor pleco:(
and a some pea size snails

[faun]

Does he look skinny? I'm not to sure what else you can do but i found this link that might be of some help http://www.zebrapleco.com/diagnosis_chart.php

[crazyredhead]

no not skinny his/her belly is kinda poofy

[crazyredhead]

myxobacteriosos is what it sounds like but they say to do water changes to prevent it

[faun]

Hmmm i'm not sure that there is alot you can do apart from do daily water changes for a bit and see if it helps also try getting him to eat some veggies as it might just be constipation which can also be a killer. Sorry i can't be any more help, you could try PM'ing barbie for advice as she is the pleco expert on here.

[crazyredhead]

i was wondering if a mixture of melafix , and pimafix might work?

[faun]

I think they are the same thing apart from one is stronger, it might be worth a try have you got a spare tank to pop him in so you can medicate?

[crazyredhead]

i can set one up ... but i dont have it cycled yet .. if i add stresscoat and cycle would it be ok?

[faun]

You need to add some filter media from one of your cycled filters to the QT tank to cycle it almost instantly.

[crazyredhead]

i read that pimafix was for fungal and milafix treats bacterial .

[faun]

API Melafix is antibacterial remedy for Fresh and Saltwater Aquarium Fish
Melafix rapidly repairs damaged fins, ulcers and open wounds
Melafix promotes regrowth of damaged tissues and fins
API Melafix cures cloudy eye, pop eye, body slime and mouth fungus.

Pimafix rapidly treats fungal infections on the body and fins, and internal and external bacterial infections.
All-Natural PimaFix treats fungal infections
Pimafix treats both internal and external bacterial infections
PimaFix has been formulated to work in combination with MelaFix to enhance effectiveness against fish diseases

University studies and laboratory tests showed that PimaFix is an effective antifungal AND antibacterial remedy for both freshwater and marine fish

Fungal infections may attack fish that have been damaged by rough handling, shipping, exposure to ammonia or nitrite, improper netting and malnutrition. Fungal pathogens use digestive enzymes to feed on fish tissue. These enzymes damage adjacent healthy tissue, allowing the disease to spread. Fungal infections are usually seen as white cottony patches on fish’s body and fins. Stressed or wounded fish are the most susceptible to fungal outbreaks.

Bacterial infections are also common, further weakening the fish and allowing the fungal infection to spread more rapidly. Left untreated, fish may die from disease and stress. Treatment should be administered as soon as possible to ensure quick recovery.

Why select PimaFix?
PimaFix is a natural botanical remedy made from Pimenta racemosa (West Indian Bay) oil, providing unique active compounds, which harmoniously work together to attack fish diseases. The active compounds found in Pimenta racemosa not only provide many different modes of action, but also eliminate the possibility of the development of resistant strains of disease-causing organisms. Until now, most antifungal medications resulted in unsightly water discoloration throughout the course of therapy.

PimaFix does not have this disadvantage, providing better viewing of fish during treatment. Treating with PimaFix will not harm the biological filter in freshwater or saltwater aquariums or ponds. PimaFix has no effect on pH. PimaFix is harmless to aquatic plants.

In extreme cases of especially stubborn infections, PimaFix has been designed to work synergistically with MelaFix. Using PimaFix and MelaFix together provides the added benefit of quick tissue regeneration and wound healing.

[Blueiz]

no every one else is fin i have a 10 gallon kinda heavily stocked but just till i get my 40 fixed....
2x cory
1xbumbleebee goby
1x 2in rainbow shark
1x2in horse face loach
1x angel and my poor pleco:(
and a some pea size snails

Your problem is your tank is grossly overstocked. There is not enough room for the fish to establish there own territory or really have room to even turn around. Expect more deaths unless you can correct the housing situation ASAP. I strongly advise against putting meds in your tank to try and correct the severe overstock problem. You need to test your water and do water changes as needed. While I do understand your 40 is getting fixed, this is to much stock to go in it as well. As a responsible fish keeper, you really should obtain appropriate housing, even if its only for a spare tank.

[Sploke]

Agreed with blue - the fundamental problem is probably a combination of stress due to tankmates and poor water quality, both caused by overstocking. Do lots of water changes. What is the timeline for having the 40gal available again?

[Troy32424]

Mine does that all the time, there is nothing wrong with mine. He will swim upside down and eat flakes. Maybe your guy is just hungry?

[inkyjenn]

you missed the labored breathing part...

sounds like overcrowding/stress. can you get a rubbermaid tub? they arent pretty, but they are really cheap. you can throw on a filter in a jiffy and have pretty much an insta-tank. at least until you get your 40 gallong back.

[crazyredhead]

i apperciate all the help guys. thank you