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I think my Plecostmus is sick, please help.

23 16:14:49

Question
QUESTION: Our plescostmus is approximately 3 years old. We have him in a 30 gallon fresh water aquarium. A few weeks ago our gold fish (we had others) died and our plescostmus started floated to the the top of the tank.

We though he might have gotten stuck between the filter tube and the tank's wall but when I released him he went back. Then we though he was sad (yes I am serious) now that he is all alone in the tank which he shared with 4 other gold fish.

I went to the pet store and they told me to feed him algae wafers and shrimp pellets which we have but there is no improvement.

After reading your answer, with regards to a condition that the fish's swim bladder (which controls the fish's equilibrium)is not functionally properly I added a few frozen peas to the tank.

But is this condition very serious? Will he be okay? Is it okay to feed him "frozen mixed vegetables" or should we feed him fresh zucchini or other vegetables?

Also the water in the tank was cloudy when the goldfish were alive and we were told that was because of the goldfish. But now that is only him and we do clean the tank regularly the water continues to get cloudy.

We hope you can help us make our plecostmus better
Thank you
Maria



ANSWER: Hi Maria,
I do highly believe that fish can become sad, depressed or lonely when their environment changes or something dramatic happens (such as a pair of fish when they loose their mate or fry)

Sounds like your Pleco may have swim bladder problems. I wouldn't give him algae wafers or shrimp pellets like the petstore suggested. This would only clog his system up more. Frozen mixed vegetables or fresh Zucchini, cucumber, lettuce, peas, or spinach are all good. It would provide fiber and help get things moving.

Cloudy water is due to a bacterial bloom from dissolved nutrients. The best remedy for it is to change 50% of the water ((make sure the replacement water is treated with a water conditioner and equal in temp or just a bit warmer than your tank)) everyday until it clears. Plecostomus and goldfish are high "bio-load" fish that can pollute their tank very quickly.

I really hope things get better for your Pleco.

Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Karen,

I just wanted to thank you again for your advise. Our pleco is doing much better. He love the fresh cucumber and now he is swimming around the aquarium and stays on the bottom of the aquarium. Also we changed the water as you recommended and its clear now. He seems to be getting better each day and is happy and growing.

I would like to know, before he was completely black but now he is changing color, he has a few white spots, maybe he is shedding his old skin? Is this normal? Is this something we should be concerned about?


Thank you again for all your help. We look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Maria


Answer
Hi Maria, You're very welcome!

I'm so glad to hear your pleco is doing better. That's such a relief to hear. I'm glad he enjoyed the cucumber, most plecos go crazy for it.

Plecos, like many fish, will often change their color slightly or even sometimes drastically according to how they feel or if their environment changes or becomes better. In this case I'd imagine he is feeling better and the clean water and good food is causing his color change.

Best of luck as always and happy fishkeeping!
Karen~