Unusual Problem Common Pleco

J

jimfish

AC Members
May 6, 2006
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I have a pleco about 10" long which has stopped eating and pooping. Upon examination I have found a hard white object partially protruding from his anus. It appears to be triangular in shape and is not passing. He is in distress and has not eaten in 2 weeks. He is currently laying on his side and breathing heavily. Do I try to extract the object or let nature take its course?

His tank mates (2 tiger oscars) are fine and have been leaving him alone. All tank parameters are good. The three have cohabited since December in a 125 gal tank.
 
If nature is taking its course then I would of imagined the object would have passed already. Any pictures so we could better assist you with your current situation??? I would caution if you try removing the object since it may tear his anal opening.
 
If it's in that much distress I'd say better out than in. You can easily immobilize a Pleco of that size by grabbing him from the top and slipping your thumb under one pectoral spine and a finger (I use my middle or ring finger depending on the size of the fish) under the other. By applying SLIGHT pressure upwards on both spines the fish will freeze. It's kind of like a full nelson hold or maybe more accurately a double chicken wing. That leaves the other hand to extract the object It's a neat trick I was shown by an old timer after he watched me trying to pry a pleco out of a net about 25 yrs ago. I'll never net a Pleco over 4" again.
 
:iagree:better out than in and he needs help. Is it possible he swallowed a piece of gravel or something from the substrate?
 
Prob cant eat cuz he is all backed up now that I think bout it. Removal in that case is the best course as stated by Subrosa. Should of known that.
 
Can knock him out with some clove oi, just don't use to much, then use a tweezer and lubrication if needed to get it out.
 
With most fish I would agree with clove oil but like I said Plecos can be immobilized by holding them correctly. Anesthesia is not something to be undertaken lightly.
 
I Agree. Clove oil may be very toxic to this pleco especially now. Do without it and good luck.
 
see if you can use a nail clipper to chip the object in ? smaller
 
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