Pleco acting weird.

[GloLitePleco]

Ok, heres the deal, I dont know as much as everyone else here about fish so I'll put this out there. I got a common pleco, and it just got to the surface and sits there upside down bellie to the surface behind the heater. It doesnt seem to be dying or anything because even the slightest movement like me lookin at him he swims off. Another thing, Its got a strand of "something" coming out of its "region" so I was wondering how they go about laying their eggs. Thanks for any help that can be provided.

[Kasakato]

Plecos are known to just sit on the glass and hide during the day. But at night they are way more active. My Rubberlip also goes behind the heater all day, and eats all night. One question: How big is the tank?

[GloLitePleco]

I know they sit on the glass, i got 3 of em, but this ones just sittin there upside down suckin on nothing, its a 30 gal.

[Kasakato]

Ahh. They you may have a problem, it maybe sick or something. The problem I can see right now is tank size. Common Plecos need a 55g tank+ because they can get rather large. I’v seen a 8" one before.

Do you have the water test levels? Such as pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

[GloLitePleco]

oh crap.

nope, ill get them tho

[Holly9937]

I would not put 3 common plecos in any less than a 150+ gallon tank. My friend has one in a 50g tank and its the saddest thing ever. And they can get well over a foot long. How long have you had the tank running? If the plecos are still small you might want to return them if you can find a store to take them. Once they get more than 5 or 6 inches you'll never be able to get rid of them ( "common" being the key word here :rolleyes: ).

[Dangerdoll]

actually they can top off at 18" - 24", though 18" is most common in home aquaria. I had one in a 55 gallon that got to 14 or 15 inches, I wound up giving him away for a better jhome for him, he uickly reached that 18" and I'm not sure at this point if he surpassed it. The are quick growers and long-livers. I would suggest the kit as well and see what the parameters are. How long have you had this guy?

[Holly9937]

actually they can top off at 18" - 24", though 18" is most common in home aquaria.

I thought so, but I didn't want to exaggerate!! I always figure that telling someone a fish gets "well over a foot" is enough to make them go :eek: unless they have a really big tank!! Thanks DD

[Kasakato]

Hola! That’s BIG!

Can you return the fish to the LFS? Certainly there is no way that they can stay in that tank. They just get to big!

As for test kit get this one selling for $12.99 at www.bigals.com

[GloLitePleco]

the plecos are only about an inch right now, but I have plans to get a larger tank very soon, so I can transfer.

ordering the test kit in a min, and that works for all tests i need?

[Dangerdoll]

you're welcome, Holly ;)

GLP, you'll get something big enough for 3 of these guys? (just to add an additional note, some commons do get a little aggressive with each other as they mature and with their size, it's not normally a clean spat)

[Kasakato]

Oops I messed the link this is what you want: http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19383;category_id=3233;pcid 1=;pcid2=
This kit will be good as long as you don’t go with a planted tank.

How big of tank. Ids say at least 200g. Can you go that big?

[GloLitePleco]

i have like 3 plants in the tank...stuff a good kit?

[Kasakato]

Are you like looking for a nice planted tank? If you want to do C02 you need a KH and GH test kit as seen here: http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19377;category_id=3239;pcid 1=3233;pcid2=

[Holly9937]

another thing with common plecos, they are huge waste producers and once they get bigger they pretty much ignore algae and turn into more carnivore than anything else

[Kasakato]

Eventually they will need meat. Its going to be a lot of work! Are you still willing to do it all?

[GloLitePleco]

my brother just brought home 4 more

[Beeker]

Does this mean you now have 7?

[MaxxxPower]

Oh don't worry. That something is just cancer. It should wearoff in a day or so. And about your plecos eh they can survive without water for god sakes so dont worry about the depth of the water.

[GloLitePleco]

ok, yes i have 7 now, and thanks for the help max power, that is something i did not know.

[MaxxxPower]

Oh yeah i have 16 things in my thing. They seem to be doing great. Its only a 30 gl tank too!!! On Saturdays i like to wash my dog in the tank and if hes a good boy he gets one of those fish that are in there.

[MaxxxPower]

When you say meat what the heck do you mean? Are you suggesting i throw a freakin steak in the tank. Well that would be ridiculous.

[Kasakato]

Oh don't worry. That something is just cancer. It should wearoff in a day or so. And about your plecos eh they can survive without water for god sakes so dont worry about the depth of the water.
That maybe the way you think about it, but me and several others here take our fish's health and well being very seriously. After all they are living things.

7 Plecos can not live in a 30g tank. You will end up with one big mess of fish. If he just bought them, then go back and return them all.

[Kasakato]

When you say meat what the heck do you mean? Are you suggesting i throw a freakin steak in the tank. Well that would be ridiculous.
Once Plecos get older they loose interest and may stop eating algae, which is a plants. They start to turn carnivores and eat meat. Not meat like stakes, and wings but food with meat content.

[flyfly]

dude, I once had 5 common plecos and an oscar in a 20g long and I fed them beef brisquet and A1. (high squeeky voice sayz: Probly f***ing not, kid!)


:troll: AH HA HA!

[Kasakato]

Dude. Stop swearing, and don’t feed the trolls.

[flyfly]

my bad, I couldnt help myself :laugh:
Ill stop 4 sure

[icka]

my plecos have not touched a single fish in my tanks, and i have 2 that are about a foot in length, with the older being about 16" and he dont bother any of them. did i just get lucky?

[GloLitePleco]

well, the only problem is that my pleco just ate everything in my tank with its SMALL *** SUCTION MOUTH. dumbasses. VIVA LA :troll:

[nursie]

my plecos have not touched a single fish in my tanks, and i have 2 that are about a foot in length, with the older being about 16" and he dont bother any of them. did i just get lucky?

You may be. You probably feed them well enough so they don't look at their tankmates as dinner. I saw a big goldfish in a pet store one time in a Q-tank with a big area on it's side where a pleco chomped it.

[Kasakato]

well, the only problem is that my pleco just ate everything in my tank with its SMALL *** SUCTION MOUTH. dumbasses. VIVA LA :troll:
As they get older they like meat. Older means bigger too.