Pleco Problem

[kreesdqban]

Yesterday I bought a Clown Pleco and some Harlequin Rasboras. The Rasboras seem to be doing fine, but the Pleco showed some weird behavior today. He has been sitting at the bottom of the tank, usually under some plants or driftwood, not doing much. All of the sudden bursts out from his spot swimming erratically in all different directions for about 5 seconds before stopping and laying on his side for a little while until he turned over and laid on his stomach. He has swam erratically like that twice (that I've seen) and I don't like it one bit.:(

I recently changed the water in the tank and Ammonia & Nitrites are at 0, Nitrates at 10, pH 7.6. I have aerated the tank and it is currently sitting at 76 F.

:help2:

[rockhoe14er]

How long has the pleco been in the water? A day, A week?

[verbal]

Is it a new tank?

The pH is higher than ideal for many plecos. You should find out what the parameters are in his tank in the pet store. If you can get a 1/2 bucket of water from the pet store, I would put him in that(with an airstone) and acclimate him over a few days.

[kreesdqban]

Less than a day. I got him yesterday

[rockhoe14er]

Is it a new tank?

The pH is higher than ideal for plecos. That can really be an issue if it is a new tank, because ammonia is more toxic the higher the pH.

If you can, I would get a 1/2 bucket of water from the pet store and put him in that temporarily.


yeah i agree.

But I have had my pleco at 7.8 with little problems but my tank is cycled.

[rockhoe14er]

Less than a day. I got him yesterday

He could just be bad stock. That happens from time to time but also sometimes my fish have acted weird when added to a new tank. He might be stressed. I would suggest that you turn the lights off for a day or so and see if that calms him down.

[kreesdqban]

Is it a new tank?

The pH is higher than ideal for many plecos. You should find out what the parameters are in his tank in the pet store. If you can get a 1/2 bucket of water from the pet store, I would put him in that(with an airstone) and acclimate him over a few days.

Wow... not good news. I hope he can hold until tomorrow... Maybe tomorrow I might be able to go to the LFS


He could just be bad stock. That happens from time to time but also sometimes my fish have acted weird when added to a new tank. He might be stressed. I would suggest that you turn the lights off for a day or so and see if that calms him down.

Yeah I already turned the lights off thinking it would calm him down...


Thanks for the help!

[verbal]

Good luck with your pleco.

[rockhoe14er]

Yeah keep us updated.. I hope the little guy is a fighter.

[jasonG75]

How OLD is the tank??

[kreesdqban]

How OLD is the tank??

I've had it for about 2 years now...


Thanks guys!

I got home to find him chilling under an anubias....

[kreesdqban]

UPDATE: not belly-up yet (crossing my fingers) I've had the lights off and the tank covered since the tank is in my room and I have my lights on...

One thing I did notice though... I tested my pH in the tank and found that it was at even 7.0 maybe 7.1, around there.... So the previous 7.6 I reported is false. BUT! I tested the water coming out of my tap and its 7.8!!! How could this be??

I'm planning on doing some searching around and maybe starting a new thread about this... You guys have any experience with this?

[Kristinann]

You said you have driftwood, right? Sometimes that tends to lower the pH over time.

[kreesdqban]

You said you have driftwood, right? Sometimes that tends to lower the pH over time.

Really? That much? 7.8 down to 7.0...

[kreesdqban]

Well the Clown Pleco went...:thumbsdown:

Went to the LFS and they replaced him with a common Pleco. I hope I have better luck with this one...

[verbal]

Well the Clown Pleco went...:thumbsdown:

Went to the LFS and they replaced him with a common Pleco. I hope I have better luck with this one...

Sorry to hear about your clown pleco.

I would have waited a few days at least to make sure every thing else in your tank is fine.

While common plecos tend to be hardier they also get huge and will outgrow your tank.

[kreesdqban]

Sorry to hear about your clown pleco.

I would have waited a few days at least to make sure every thing else in your tank is fine.

While common plecos tend to be hardier they also get huge and will outgrow your tank.

Yeah I realize that. When he does get too big I'll just take him back and get another one... They didn't have anymore clowns...

Thanks

[abcdefghi]

Make sure you acclimate the fish SLOWLY!!! Back when I was not exactly sure what I was doing, I bought a half dozen cories, dumped some water in with them, put them in the tank and fairly quickly they all died.

Exactly the same symptoms, sitting still, then sudden erratic swimming, spinning around etc, and then dying.

Now I take at least an hour to acclimate any of my fish regardless of where I got them from and have not lost any fish the same way since.

[kreesdqban]

Yeah I acclimate slowly. Putting the bag in the water to get the right temp, for about 20 min. Then I add small amounts of water to the bag in 10-12 min increments until the bag fills. Then I empty 3/4 of the bag out and repeat... Sound right?