My pleco just passed away suddenly. Yesterday he was fine and today I noticed his belly was round and bloated, and he began thrashing around the tank in discomfort before finally settling into his favorite cave under the driftwood to die. I went to buy epsom salt and set up a hospital tank, but when I took pleco out and put him in it I noticed he was limp in my hand and his gills were no longer moving. This all happened so suddenly I can only figure that his kidneys failed and he died of old age. I’m crying my eyes out because I love this fish, I’ve taken care of him for 16 years and I love him like family. Pleco was always special to me, I never knew a fish in an aquarium could live so long. I am so glad I got to celebrate his 20th birthday and share that event with you guys back in August. He’ll be eating zucchini up in fish heaven now ;.; Goodbye my old friend, I will miss you!
It sounds like he was happy while he was alive and that's what counts.
