Are you sure???

Question
Hello Nicole,

With all due respect, I think my pleco is sick!!!!! I fed him a algea wafer and he devoured it. The decoloration spot is still there. By the way, how many algea wafers am I supposed to feed him? I have a chinese algea eater who is 1.5 in and my pleco is 1 inch. Is my pleco going to die???

Gracias, pero, estoy deprimido,
Jonathan Hernandez

Answer
Hi Jonathan,

When you treated for ich, did you add salt to the water? Plecos are not fond of too much salt. They also like their tank to be a tropical temperature, but not too hot. Keep it at about 78 degrees. Of all the fish you have, your pleco is the most hardy - except they do not tolerate extreme cold or heat, and they do not tolerate high concentrations of salt.

I would perform a water change of about 40% with fresh dechlorinated tap water. If your fish are stressed by water changes, it helps to turn the filter(s) off and leave the air pump and airstone bubbling. The splash from the filter pouring water at a lower level really seems to freak out certain kinds of fish, especially the ones who like to coast on the surface. After you perform the water change, test your water and make sure that nitrates are less than 20 ppm. I feel fairly certain you won't have any detectable ammonia or nitrite, but test these to be sure - if you have test strips, usually all three things are tested at once.

Drop two algae wafers in after you turn the lights off. I would suggest you do this every other day, and on the days you don't feed them an algae wafer, cut a slice (lengthwise) of zucchini or cucumber and weigh it down with a magnetic clip, or impale it with a wooden BBQ skewer into the gravel.

If your water levels all test in the acceptable range, and all of your other fish seem healthy, active, and are eating well, there is really nothing to worry about. Fancy plecos, like royal plecos or golden nugget plecos, can be a bit more touchy and sensitive to water quality, as well as pickier about their foods. A common pleco like you have is usually the last fish to survive in a severely neglected tank.

As your pleco gets older, his color will deepen and his belly will be plumper. The best way to ensure his good health and longevity is by performing regular water changes of about 30% a week (15% 2x a week is best) and providing a varied diet, this one is key. Potatoes, romaine lettuce, zukes and cukes, squash, peas, and even carrots have all been accepted by plecos successfully - just look in your vegetable drawer and try a little of whatever you have! Most plecos won't eat every kind of food you offer, especially during the day, but it never hurts to try new foods.

Let me give you this page to read:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/loricdisfaqs.htm

There is a picture of a pleco with a spot that reads very much like what you describe. It is possible, like Bob mentioned, that he has an injury, but that will heal on its own without medication. You could try a little Melafix, maybe a half dose, but likely this is something that will clear up on its own, clean water and a varied diet being the best medicine you can offer. The pleco that I am referring to on the page had lots of other symptoms, so even less of a reason for you to worry. If you see other fish showing similar signs, e-mail me or place a question right away! If that's not the case, just take it easy, mi amigo. :)

Nicole