Pleco died :(

[stoopid]

My black pleco died. It was in a 10g with a cichlid, and there's NO evidence he was killed/attacked. All my nitrates, ammonia, and ph's are fine (have testers). The fish don't seem to gasp for air, so there's enough oxygen. Water's relatively clear, a little algae forming 5 weeks into the cycle (less algae since turning the light off most of the time). I use stress coat and a little aquarium salts during my 50% weekly water changes (will cut that down to every 2 weeks now).

Just wondering if this is common, or should I be concerned?

 

[OrionGirl]

Why were you using salt?

Plecos in general are very hardy, so I would be concerned. Were you providing it will enough food? Very few eat algae exclusively, many need woody debris, and often times aggressive fish will prevent plecos from getting enough to eat. Before replacing it, I would determine if you need one at all, if you'll be able to accomodate the adult size, and if you can meet it's nutrition needs. It's likely that yours starved, or was damaged beyond recovery by the early stages of the cycle.

 

[7Speed]

I have had three die in the last year.
the first one I can understand because I was new to "fish" and well it was expected. The second one well maybe bad luck. But just this morning I lost one after a week. So what am I doing wrong? All my other fish are thriving. All community fish.
I have tested the water and everything is fine. I feed the fish 2x a day (just small amounts)

 

[OrionGirl]

What kind of pleco, and what are you feeding? Tank parameters?

 

[stoopid]

Originally posted by OrionGirl
Why were you using salt?

Plecos in general are very hardy, so I would be concerned. Were you providing it will enough food? Very few eat algae exclusively, many need woody debris, and often times aggressive fish will prevent plecos from getting enough to eat. Before replacing it, I would determine if you need one at all, if you'll be able to accomodate the adult size, and if you can meet it's nutrition needs. It's likely that yours starved, or was damaged beyond recovery by the early stages of the cycle.

My local LFS said the same thing, based on the good health of my tank and existing calvus, it's likely he starved to death (kinda sad, had he spoken engrish I'd have gladly fed him!). Good call BadbreathLady

Oh, the salts are for disease prevention, I've not only read it on fishgeeks and here, but both of my local LFS recommended it. I only use a tablespoon per 5g water change.

 

[valerie]

Plecos are sensitve to salt and at 1Tbsp/5gals it wold stress them out. Salt shouldn't be used all the time especially at a level like 1Tbsp/5gals(that is a treatment dose, not a constant level it should be at).

Also depending on which pleco you got most are wild caught and come with internal parasites. bristlenose plecos are the best to get for small tanks since they eat algae, are tank bred, and only get 4-6".

I would suspect that the salt along with your tank only being 5 weeks old and still cycling is what might have done him in. But on the other hand maybe he was sick when you bought him.

 

[Anaxus]

Good call BadbreathLady

Hehe everytime I see ORIONgirls name I think its oniongirl too =P
Sorry for the hijack

 

[stoopid]

Originally posted by Anaxus

Hehe everytime I see ORIONgirls name I think its oniongirl too =P
Sorry for the hijack

rotf

yeah, I missed that too... it's even funnier now

 

[stoopid]

Originally posted by valerie
Plecos are sensitve to salt and at 1Tbsp/5gals it wold stress them out. Salt shouldn't be used all the time especially at a level like 1Tbsp/5gals(that is a treatment dose, not a constant level it should be at).

Thanks, I'll try a smaller amount.

 

[stoopid]

Well, bought a $22 black ghosty knife thingie (neat little fish)... had to go out for the afternoon after putting him in, noticed immediately the calvus was ticked off cause the ghost liked the same spot/rocks he did... came back 5 hours later to find a dead ghost knife .

Did I mention the Calvus attacked me during a water change 2 weeks ago? Mean fish, and a loner now... not buying any more expensive punching bags for him