I moved my almost 7" plecostamus (sp) from a 3.5 gal tank with 5 goldfish to a 29 gal one (which had been set up 2 days earlier) with a dempsey. Now he is unable to attach to anything, and floats to the surface. Sometimes he flips over onto his back and has a hard time rolling back over. He may have been attacked by a dempsey. His dorsal seems torn... I have him in a hospital tank (2 gal w/only airstone) and am constanty pushing him underwater every few minutes to keep him covered. Please help! This fish is very sentimental.
injured pleco
- Thread starter convictedpuppy
- Start date
Unfortunately it sounds like it might be too late for him... However if he pulls through the best thing you can do for this fish is buy a VERY large tank, or find him a new home ASAP. Assuming this is a common pleco, it can easily get well over a foot and a half long. Putting him in the 29g is probably better than cramming him into a 2g tank. Give him some hiding spots and observe to see if the other fish picks on him. He might be missing a fin just do to the stress of being in a tank that was way too small and the move. Also, was this 29g tank cycled first? If not, you need to start doing large water changes and test your water for amonia and nitrite, they should both be 0
Also, here is some info. on the Jack Dempsey, You will still need a larger tank than a 29g for this guy, even if he is the only fish in the tank...
Temperment Sociability Min. Tank Availability Area
Aggressive Solitary 45 gallons Common Middle
The Jack Dempsey is an aggressive, pugnacious cichlid which originates from Central America. The fish was named after a former heavyweight boxing champion based solely on its demeanor. The Jack Dempsey is an extremely hardy fish that can provide enjoyment for any level of hobbyist, so long as the caretaker is willing to provide the fish with the basic essentials.
The color of the Jack Dempsey changes greatly depending upon age, mood, and stress levels. A healthy young fish should be a brownish-tan with a black spot on each side of its body, and one on each side of the base of the tail. Dark stripes line the dorsal side of the fish, while blue to greenish-yellow spots are scattered around their scales. Adults should range from brown to black base color, the spots and stripes becoming less visible if not gone, and the brightly colored spots coat the body. Stressed, weak, or sick fish will be lighter in color, and the spots less visible.
The Dempsey is definitely not for the community tank. While they may be kept with other fish of similar size, the Dempsey is best kept in a species tank. Their aggressiveness should never be underestimated, and increases largely during spawning.
The Dempsey tank should have a thick layer of gravel, 4-5", with rocks of various sizes and caves for hiding places. Due to the digging nature of this fish, any plants which you might have in the tank should be well rooted, and do not be surprised if they are torn up every once in a while. Pre-soaked clay flower pots make for wonderful hiding places, as well as a good place for them to lay their eggs.
This fish is not usually very picky about what it eats, although it may take some time for them to adjust to a different food they are changing from a consistent diet. It is best to vary their diet, alternating between pellets, guppies, shrimp, lettuce, earthworms, snails, and most other crustaceans. This will provide them with the nutrients they need to become healthy, colorful adults.
Because these fish are from the area of Central America, they should have mildly hard water, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Although water conditions are not as strict as with fish such as discus, they will be happier and healthier with the right water chemistry.
Jack Dempseys spawn in the usual Cichlid fashion, the female laying her eggs on carefully cleaned rocks. The adults are model parents and both guard and care for the young.
Sexing the Jack Dempsey becomes increasingly difficult the younger the fish is. The most obvious ways to tell are with the male having longer and more pointed dorsal and anal fins, a longer body, and less blue-green coloration on the gill plate. The body of the female is more squat than that of the male, and the dorsal and anal fins are shorter as well.
Also, here is some info. on the Jack Dempsey, You will still need a larger tank than a 29g for this guy, even if he is the only fish in the tank...
Temperment Sociability Min. Tank Availability Area
Aggressive Solitary 45 gallons Common Middle
The Jack Dempsey is an aggressive, pugnacious cichlid which originates from Central America. The fish was named after a former heavyweight boxing champion based solely on its demeanor. The Jack Dempsey is an extremely hardy fish that can provide enjoyment for any level of hobbyist, so long as the caretaker is willing to provide the fish with the basic essentials.
The color of the Jack Dempsey changes greatly depending upon age, mood, and stress levels. A healthy young fish should be a brownish-tan with a black spot on each side of its body, and one on each side of the base of the tail. Dark stripes line the dorsal side of the fish, while blue to greenish-yellow spots are scattered around their scales. Adults should range from brown to black base color, the spots and stripes becoming less visible if not gone, and the brightly colored spots coat the body. Stressed, weak, or sick fish will be lighter in color, and the spots less visible.
The Dempsey is definitely not for the community tank. While they may be kept with other fish of similar size, the Dempsey is best kept in a species tank. Their aggressiveness should never be underestimated, and increases largely during spawning.
The Dempsey tank should have a thick layer of gravel, 4-5", with rocks of various sizes and caves for hiding places. Due to the digging nature of this fish, any plants which you might have in the tank should be well rooted, and do not be surprised if they are torn up every once in a while. Pre-soaked clay flower pots make for wonderful hiding places, as well as a good place for them to lay their eggs.
This fish is not usually very picky about what it eats, although it may take some time for them to adjust to a different food they are changing from a consistent diet. It is best to vary their diet, alternating between pellets, guppies, shrimp, lettuce, earthworms, snails, and most other crustaceans. This will provide them with the nutrients they need to become healthy, colorful adults.
Because these fish are from the area of Central America, they should have mildly hard water, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Although water conditions are not as strict as with fish such as discus, they will be happier and healthier with the right water chemistry.
Jack Dempseys spawn in the usual Cichlid fashion, the female laying her eggs on carefully cleaned rocks. The adults are model parents and both guard and care for the young.
Sexing the Jack Dempsey becomes increasingly difficult the younger the fish is. The most obvious ways to tell are with the male having longer and more pointed dorsal and anal fins, a longer body, and less blue-green coloration on the gill plate. The body of the female is more squat than that of the male, and the dorsal and anal fins are shorter as well.
I'm sorry to sound condescending, but there's a lot of info on this site that you need to read. 5 goldfish and a 7 inch pleco in a 3 gallon tank? I'm suprised he made it long enough to get sentimental, and that your other fish are alive also.
On your actual problem... you took a rather large fish from horrid living conditions, subjected it to what should have been a temperature shock and likely could have been a PH shock, in a tank that will have high ammonia built up from the cycling process, with a hugely aggressive fish in the tank that was also probably feeling the effects of ammonia poisoning. How big is the dempsey anyway?
I've read that swimbladder disease (where the fish just float about) is uncurable, and every fish that I've had that had that kind of problem died within days. If he DOES make it, you could try building some cover into the 29 so he'll have a place to hide... as you probably know, the 3 gallon and 1 gallon aren't longterm (or even shortterm really) solutions for any of your fish. I don't know what to say, except to wish you luck.
On your actual problem... you took a rather large fish from horrid living conditions, subjected it to what should have been a temperature shock and likely could have been a PH shock, in a tank that will have high ammonia built up from the cycling process, with a hugely aggressive fish in the tank that was also probably feeling the effects of ammonia poisoning. How big is the dempsey anyway?
I've read that swimbladder disease (where the fish just float about) is uncurable, and every fish that I've had that had that kind of problem died within days. If he DOES make it, you could try building some cover into the 29 so he'll have a place to hide... as you probably know, the 3 gallon and 1 gallon aren't longterm (or even shortterm really) solutions for any of your fish. I don't know what to say, except to wish you luck.
Not going to rag on you..... just want to help.
You said you had your pleco in a hospital tank, right?? Leave him there!! If he has a torn fin, he probably also has an infection. Follow these steps carefully.
1) Perform water changes TWICE A DAY in that small hospital tank.
2) go to your local fish store and purchase some anti-biotics. I buy Maracyn 2 (at any pet store) for my fish.
3) BE CAREFUL with the dosing. In a small hospital tank, you will have to cut the tablets in quarters, so as not to overdose the fish.
4) a healing aid such as Melafix also helps. (careful with the dosing).
5)TRY to feed this fish. If he will not eat, KEEP TRYING!!
6)If he only gets worse after several days of treatment, it's time to think euthanasia. The best (most humane) way to do this is to overdose the fish on clove oil (at healthfood stores) or on CO2 fizz tablets (Petco, with the live aquarium plants). REMEMBER>>> GO SLOWLY!! The idea is to have him fall asleep and die peacefully, NOT to sufffer!!
It IS possible to revive a fish that's as good as dead. I know, because I have done it with a Betta. This fish was SO SICK that he just floated on his side, leaking pus and bacteria from a swollen chest. Today he is alive and well, and swimming happily.
Wheather or not your pleco makes it, it's time to get some better living conditions for your fish. A 2 1/2 gallon tank can support a couple of guppies and maybe a shrimp, nothing more.
In the future, research how big a fish will get BEFORE you buy it. Each goldfish can grow up to 12 inches, the pleco up to 18 inches, and I don't even know how big the Jack Dempsey can get (but I know it's BIG).
Remember to change the water on your 29 gallon, because it isn't cycled. If you cannot afford to buy water test kits ($5-$10 each), just change the water every day or two (no more) until it cycles, and you should be fine.
And please remember that every time you buy a fish, you are makeing a commitment to properly care for that fish for the duration of it's life. This is a commitment that you should take VERY seriously.
You said you had your pleco in a hospital tank, right?? Leave him there!! If he has a torn fin, he probably also has an infection. Follow these steps carefully.
1) Perform water changes TWICE A DAY in that small hospital tank.
2) go to your local fish store and purchase some anti-biotics. I buy Maracyn 2 (at any pet store) for my fish.
3) BE CAREFUL with the dosing. In a small hospital tank, you will have to cut the tablets in quarters, so as not to overdose the fish.
4) a healing aid such as Melafix also helps. (careful with the dosing).
5)TRY to feed this fish. If he will not eat, KEEP TRYING!!
6)If he only gets worse after several days of treatment, it's time to think euthanasia. The best (most humane) way to do this is to overdose the fish on clove oil (at healthfood stores) or on CO2 fizz tablets (Petco, with the live aquarium plants). REMEMBER>>> GO SLOWLY!! The idea is to have him fall asleep and die peacefully, NOT to sufffer!!
It IS possible to revive a fish that's as good as dead. I know, because I have done it with a Betta. This fish was SO SICK that he just floated on his side, leaking pus and bacteria from a swollen chest. Today he is alive and well, and swimming happily.
Wheather or not your pleco makes it, it's time to get some better living conditions for your fish. A 2 1/2 gallon tank can support a couple of guppies and maybe a shrimp, nothing more.
In the future, research how big a fish will get BEFORE you buy it. Each goldfish can grow up to 12 inches, the pleco up to 18 inches, and I don't even know how big the Jack Dempsey can get (but I know it's BIG).
Remember to change the water on your 29 gallon, because it isn't cycled. If you cannot afford to buy water test kits ($5-$10 each), just change the water every day or two (no more) until it cycles, and you should be fine.
And please remember that every time you buy a fish, you are makeing a commitment to properly care for that fish for the duration of it's life. This is a commitment that you should take VERY seriously.