My pl*co is sick :(

A

ArkyLady

Addict In Training
Nov 27, 2002
564
1
0
58
Arkansas
Something is wrong with my common pl*co. Two nites ago I noticed he was darker in color than normal and his "skin" is shrively looking along his backside. I honestly think he's starving to death and I can't stand it :(

I've been feeding the tank mostly bloodworms and flake food. I've been trying to feed him algae tablets, but he doesn't seem to want them and I've never seen him try to eat one. So I tried some zuchinni(sp?), no go there either.

Is there any disease he could have that would cause him to turn a darker color? or do you also think he's starving to death? None of the other fish in the tank are showing any signs of any problems at all. I'm going to do a full round of water tests here in a few mins and if something comes up there I'll post the info, but the water tested out fine on Sunday.

Any hints on other things I can try to feed him maybe?
 
Did you try to feed the pleco at night (lights out)? Normally, if there is food in the tank, the pleco will eat it..maybe shy at night though...try feeding when you turn the lights out
 
Water tests showed everything is normal. Only issue I've had with my water is it's so soft and my KH is zero. I've read that more aeration would help, so I got two air wands, but it hasn't raised it at all.

I guess I will have to start treating the water with something to raise my KH. Not sure if fluctuating PH may have caused my pl*co problem, it's always just under neutral when I test it (usually weekly). Any recommendations on what I should use to raise my alkalinity?
 
what brand of algae wafers? mine seems to only really like the hikari brand. he never touches zuccini, but im thinking of trying spinach and squash to see if he likes those.

you havent been feeding it any ABS plastic have you?
 
JamisonBWolsh, yes I always feed him his algae wafer and my ropefish their bloodworms at lights out. Then I remove what's left of the algae wafer in the morning. Last two days I left a fresh algae wafer in at night and morning, but so far that I can tell he hasn't touched them.

jiggerpolebill, they're Wardley brand. I got them at Wal-Mart, maybe I'll head to the LFS and see what brand they have tomorrow. Just what I need, another picky pet (I thought my dog was bad). So I guess they'll eat most any vegetable? Anything I should avoid for sure? Think I'll try giving him a variety of food tomorrow and see if he'll find something he likes to eat. No ABS :D

Note: My bala shark has been picking at the zuccini hehe
 
Plecos are mostly nocturnal eaters and it could just be that yours has been reluctant to come out and get some of the food that you are offering.

Any updates ?
 
When I got up this morning he was eating on the zuccini finally! Still don't think he touched his algae wafer. I can't see where he had eaten on the zuccini (like "bites" taken out of it), but he was sucking on it this morning. Maybe he's been eating on it and I just couldn't tell.

Something is/was still wrong though, he looks terrible. I have to say he looked a tad bit perkier this morning. So maybe we're on the road to recovery!

I'm going to the LFS today to see if he has a different brand of algae wafers. Maybe he'll like those better. Keeping the zuccini in there for him as well. How long should I keep the zuccini in there before changing it out? 12 hours like the algae wafers ok? That's what I've been doing is changing them out at the same time (normally only give him one algae wafer at night feeding and remove it in the morning, but doing double for now until he gets better so he always has something to eat).

Thanks :)
 
What about your KH/PH? You were saying the PH wasn't stable and the KH was 0. Am I right?

I would suggest you look into raising you KH a little, to stabilize the PH.

I have had the same PH/KH problems, and my fish were not too healthy because of it.

Once I was able to stabilize the PH, your fish *may* get better. IMO, I find it really hard to tell what is wrong, until my water is *just right*.

You may want to try adding crushed coral, in a nylon baggie, to your filter compartment. This will raise the KH, which will raise the PH. And you should end up with stable readings.

There isnt' really a measurment for this... Here is an example of how I use it in my smallest tank. In my 20 gallon high, I used the toe end of a nylon stcking, and put 2 tablespoons of crushed coral in it, tie it with fishing line, then plop it right on top of the sponge in my filter, so that the water runs through it.

Crushed coral takes a short amount of time to adjust the KH, maybe 24 hours, so I would do this, then test 24 hours later. Plan to take a few days at least to get this established, as we want to avoid shocking your fish and making things worse.

After testing, if you aren't satisified, you can slowly add more coral every couple of days until you reach a KH of about 4.

I like having my KH at 4. I have read that others believe that a KH of 3 is too low, and a KH of 5 is borderline too high. Anyone? IMO, 4 is the way to go. (i'm refering to the test by AP).

Let us know how this goes and what your thoughts/plans are for stabilizing th KH/PH...

HTH, Good luck! :)
 
The PH has so far been rather stable actually, but I only test weekly, so it's possible it could be fluctuating some. I don't like my KH being 0 at all and plan to do something for this.

I'll check the LFS and see if he has any crushed coral there when I go later today. Anything else that he may have on hand that would help raise KH as well? I'd like to avoid using any chemicals/treatments and stick with something more natural.
 
I am pretty sure that crushed coral, (or regular coral, oyster shells, clam shells -crushed -get the idea?), are really the only natural ways to raise the KH. Crushed Coral seems to be more widely available, and the easiest to use.

I tried a whole piece of coral once, and I just ended up having to smash it because it was too big.

The only other option that I am aware of, is using chemicals. IMO, not a healthy choice though. Chemicals tend to be short-lived. Meaning, that within 24 hours you will probably have to re-use, because everything has gone back to the pre-chemical level.

Good luck! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom