pleco not moving but breathing

API Liquid Super Ich Cure is another product you can purchase to treat ich. In general these catfish aren't very demanding when it comes to space requirements since they share bottom levels of tanks or just rest on large plants and, as mentioned above, adult specimens grow to 13 cm in length (approximately 5 inches), moreover females grow smaller than males. Start looking closely at the water parameters so that you can keep the fish safe. It is an extreme problem with oxygen to have, but it can occur if you don't do a good job maintaining the tank. It very well might be dead if it doesnt appear to be moving at all. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. Are there females in the tank with him? If your pleco has a cloudy eye but acts normal, it will probably go away by itself. he has been banging in to the top of the tank really hard. If the fish is breathing, its likely that its simply resting. Many people mistakenly think that plecos dont need to be fed. If the pleco is not moving but breathing, then there are several things that could be happening. Good Luck. Ich is very contagious and can be fatal, so removing the sick fish from the tank is important if other fish inhabit the same environment. These fish simply arent active during the day. Taking care of baby plecos can be challenging in some ways. If it was dead youd know it, lol. Its a sign that something is wrong, and you might need to make some changes. If the fish is not moving, then there are no signs of life, such as breathing or eating, then it has likely died. LL, yes I just moved, but the pleco has been in this water for almost a month. This makes it easier for them to get bacterial infections. The white spot on it's eye sounds like some type of fungus. He might be guarding eggs or trying to entice a female to breed with him. If your pleco fish doesnt appear to be moving, youre likely going to be incredibly concerned. Poor nutrition might cause loss of color as well. This can be caused by many things, such as poor water conditions, stress, or poor nutrition. Your pet store may have products that may do the job. If you discover one of your fish has popeye, check the water levels to determine if that is the cause. i have heard reports of them lasting quite a while out of water. 3. Since plecos are a type of catfish, they feed off of algae. One of the biggest myths is also that plecos clean your tank. Molly lying on side on bottom of tank, moving very little. Are you watching him 24/7? Unlike ich or fin rot, there are no medicinal treatments for cloudy eyes, as the problem will solve itself when the cause has been determined and fixed (water conditions, tank aggression, etc.). ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH? Plecos are often wrongfully accused of eating and destroying plants. Youll also need to fix issues with water quality in the tank while solving stress problems. Check the water quality and try to fix anything that is wrong. When a pleco lays motionless at the bottom of the tank it also means they might be getting beat up by other fish inside. Most Plecos are nocturnal and we don't get to see them eat. Now he's a happy camper. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! My guppy is laying on its side at the bottom of the tank and still moving. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. There are over 100 species of plecos, so it is essential to do your research to learn the best source of nutrition for your pleco species. Abdominal swelling typically means that the fish has some type of internal infection. Unfortunately, this is not true. You dont have to reach into the tank and touch it with your bare hand. A fish dying during the night doesnt necessarily indicate that something happened the very night that it died. There might not be anything wrong at all. You should be testing the water parameters regularly to protect the fish. It can take a few days for him to convinced one to lay eggs for him then he sits in the cave and fans them. Full Tank Mate Guide, Bristlenose Pleco Tank Size 101: Everything You Need To Know, Pleco Price: How Much Do Pleco Cost? Aggression in fish leads to erratic swimming and crashing into the tank. The Pleco is Bloated. Your pleco needs immediate care in both cases. This happened all of a sudden. It could be that the fish is sick and has some type of problem with its gills. It's scared and it's stressed and it's hiding, because it's in a strange place after being caught and boxed up and moved. Use a fish net or scoop to touch the fish gently to test whether its alive or not. He may also fall sick due to anxiousness. Do your best to determine what is wrong with the fish. Most likely, the fish have fin rot due to poor water conditions in the tank. JavaScript is disabled. Plecos that like to eat algae such as bristlenose plecos will need to be fed as well. Ensure you follow the package instructions to ensure proper dosing for your fish. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what, Most of the pleco species sold and kept in the. If they are desperate enough, they will turn upside down in their search for food at the surface. Now that weve gone over the symptoms, its time to find the cause of these problems. Sometimes the fish might even be upside down. One day, I was excited to see the male had trapped the female in a cave, so I was expecting some babies.However, the next morning I waked up noticing the fish death in the cave. If the water condition and bacterial infections caused the situation, then youll need to fix those problems. If you offer them a place where they can feel safe, such as a dark spot under an ornamental plant, they will often come out to visit with you. Also having a water test kit for ammonia and nitrite will help greatly in knowing when to do water changes. Nitrate is considerably less dangerous, but should be lower than 30 ppm, and above 50 is the danger zone. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Pleco rotting fins. Juts curious - as I was doing a water change today and about 10 minutes into it I noted my true Albino Bristlenose Ancistrus wedged in between my rock wall - and my overflow box at the top of the tank. Plecos are a type of tropical fish that need a heated tank with a filter. Your pleco may also be stressed due to their tank mates. One time a buddy was cleaning his tank and took all the fish out and put them in a bucket. I think that it is nothing to worry about. lol. When the water quality is poor, itll weaken the immune system of the plecos. Some plecos will swim upside down because they want to eat the food on the surface of the water. Very bad water conditions might even directly kill the fish. My fish is alive and moving, but isnt breathing? There is a possibility that something happened in the tank, though. Bloating isn't that difficult to identify. This is constant. He is starting to show his age but. You can get something called Stress Coat at the pet store, it basically removes any chlorine that may be in your water, it has also been proven to reduce fish stress. Any animal needs some time to get used to a new home and small lizards are often prey for bigger things. This process involves floating the bag on top of the tank. Plecos are supposed to be fairly hardy fish, other reasons why a pleco might start floating. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive. ), -Research nutrition based on specific pleco species, fin edges turn black or brown and look frayed, have white dots (another possible symptom of ich). Just laying on the bottom. Filtration is crucial to keep your water parameters optimal, as pleco catfish are big polluters. Sometimes plecos will just float near the top of the tank when the oxygen levels arent sufficient. Please help. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Another reason for a pleco not moving is that it is dead. Its very uncomfortable for the plecos, and they might rub against objects in the tank in an attempt to find relief. There are even plecos that are considered to be carnivorous. My name is Jeff, and my goal with this site is to share everything I've learned over the years about caring for aquatic life. 2005-2019 Monsterfishkeepers.com. FishForums.net is one of the internet's oldest and premier Tropical Fish and Aquarium forums! Ich is a condition that involves the fish being infected by parasites. Some will also cause fish to have a hard time breathing. whats wrong? What's wrong with him? The most common cause of this is poor water conditions. If there are elevated levels of chemicals, perform small water changes for a couple of days to lower the concentration. This post may contain affiliate links. Water parameters good? In order to keep your Pleco happy, you will need to ensure that the tank is heated and supplied with a filter. If you cant see the gills moving, this suggests that the fish is truly dead. Plecos are freshwater fish that need to live in water that is between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius (72-82F). If you can learn how to care for these fish properly, then they shouldnt be dying fast. If your pleco is stressed, it may exhibit some of the following behaviors: Hiding is a natural defensive response for many fish. For a limited time, download my pleco catfish ebook below on how to care for these beautiful animals. If your pleco is gulping at the surface or swimming up and down the tank to reach for oxygen, this is a severe problem. Infections can be remedied by giving the fish medications. Without the tank cycled, there are no good bacteria to convert the ammonia into nitrates for live plants to consume. This can happen to any fish if it does not have enough oxygen in its environment, if it is too cold or hot, or if the water quality has deteriorated. Hallo everyone, I have a question concerning my 4 year old 10.6 inch pleco. Your fish may be suffering from ich if their skin appears to have white dots that look like salt or sugar flakes. If he's alive and swims away why are you worried? This parasitic infection causes white spots to appear all over the fish. Posted on Last updated: February 14, 2023. This disease is called ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) and can be fatal if not treated. We finished breaking down our multiple tanks, loaded the moving truck, drove it for three hours, spent two more hours waiting for the moving helpers, got the truck unloaded, started setting up the tanks, put the decor back in, added the fish. and the bristle nose swam out of the wood when we put in algae wafers. A long, long, long time ago when I was young my friends and I always had tanks. They like to eat shrimp and bloodworms. Some people may find their pleco to be more active if they feed it live worms or move it to a bigger tank. Both tanks are also a bit small for their inhabitants, so moving your Plec will overstock your Goldie tank. Check out the FishForums.net Monthly As per him, he had that pleco for like 3-4 years. This means that this fish only comes out a. You can get something called Stress Coat at the pet store, it basically removes any chlorine that may be in your water, it has also been proven to reduce fish stress. 5 Tips for moving into your new Home with pets, [] injured while moving. Feed food before lights out and he is likely to come out when it is dark to feed. You called it a he is it actually male? They take a full breath, in and out, about 6 times a second. Malnutrition can make plecos get sick, and they will certainly die if you dont feed them enough. Pleco Not Moving but Breathing. Many conditions that have the potential to kill plecos can be fixed with the right treatments. you read and agreed to the. This guy lasted about 10 years. Your pleco may be dying if it appears to have a bloated stomach. It is important to research food options for your pleco because some brands have more harmful ingredients than good. Checking the tank conditions and monitoring the fishs behavior are things you can do to determine the cause of the swelling. The average life expectancy of plecos is between 10 and 15 years. He was just hanging there out of the water not moving. I have seen this behavior once before and today, its happening again. If the pleco is not moving but breathing, then there are several things that could be happening. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I love my animals. Some will also cause fish to have a hard time breathing. They like to hide normally so he is quite happy. Youve learned so much about signs that your plecos are dying. Fin rot is a common infection among aquarium fish. Plecos do not have scales and they tend to rot really fast when they die, so as was mentioned above, you. The Plecos never attack the food of other fish during such sessions. Pleco catfish are often kept in the aquarium hobby because, Plecos and cory catfish are two extremely popular catfish species, Pleco catfish are one of the most popular fish in, Pleco spawning Plecos are cave-breeders, and they spawn exclusively in, For a limited time, you can download our FREE pleco catfish ebook, 2022 KeepingCatfish.com - Privacy policy Webdesign by Websmart Websites. Its normal for these fish to hide and be very wary of venturing out. My husband's pleco often does this. Do not . Water parameters are good. Plecos need to be kept in fish tanks with high oxygen levels. However, they still require feeding two times a week to have a balanced diet. We have this ugly plastic reef wall thing that I want to take out that he used to hide in and we checked if he was alive and he moved to his current spot. If your pleco has seemingly rips/cuts in its fins, its most likely fin rot. (By Species), Breeding Pleco Catfish Guide With Pictures, Cory Catfish And Plecos Tank Mate guide, Do plecos bury themselves? (Per Species Guide), The 7 Biggest Giant Pleco Species You Didnt Know About, Do Plecos Eat Plants? They are seriously chill dudes lol. Just keep an eye on him. Barely breathing! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Why Did My Pleco Die and How to Prevent the Fish from Dying? If this is not taken care of, it will cause your fish to die. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more! 3. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month and more! Many things can cause stress such as poor water conditions, overcrowded fish tanks, and incompatible tank mates. There are common signs and symptoms among fish diseases that show your fish is battling more than just a common sickness. we should definitely get more hiding spots. This can happen to one eye or both. Keeping pleco catfish in an aquarium can be a good. Here are some of my favorite foods for plecos (make a selection suited for the species youre keeping). If the fish isnt moving or breathing, its possible that its dead. All you need to do is solve the issues that are making the fish sick. Keeping an eye on the water parameters and cleaning the tank regularly will help to prevent things like this from happening. When a pleco fish dies in the fish tank, itll stop moving and itll float. Moving forward, it should be easier to look out for problems with the fish. When using tap water you need to use tap water conditioner. You also have to keep in mind that theyre nocturnal. Did you just get him? Now the tank is in pretty bad shape (were working on it!) This typically isnt the case, and some plecos dont even eat algae. I feed my fish with a dim light on in the room so they are used to light and I can check them over for disease without disturbing them because they think it is the sun setting. Ouwch. It creates an environment where the disease cannot grow or spread. The problem may have been caused by the fish swallowing air, so pre-soak the fish food in the future to avoid this problem. I have a fish who is laying at the bottom of the tank breathing rapidly whi My betta fish is laying at its side at the bottom of his tank and looks like hes struggling to My fish is laying on the bottom of the tank still breathing, Oscar laying on one side and only breathing (not moving at all) since morning. Adding fish without acclimating them causes shock. You transfer water from the aquarium to the bag while slowly removing water from the bag. I know one of my tetras had mouth fungus and I used aquari-sol and it took care of the problem. A male with eggs/ babies may stay in the cave for several weeks without eating. Generally he is pretty active but sometime he just stay on one stop and don't move at all, even for like 1-2 days. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. Another result of starvation might be aggression, or your pleco sucking on the slime coat of fish like we sometimes see with goldfish. Sadly, my pleco died that night. I think that it is nothing to worry about. Especially because plecos love oxygen-rich water (they often live in fast-flowing streams and rivers) adding an airstone or pointing your filter outlet in a way that it creates bubbles is useful. An ammonia spike is one of the most likely causes of the sudden death of your pleco or other aquarium fish. Feeding your fish de-shelled peas or other foods high in fiber can help decrease the swelling. Many different types of illnesses will make fish feel lethargic. The first thing you should consider is whether the pleco has died or not. Make sure to test your water if there are any abnormalities. It could simply be that the pleco fish succumbed to an illness during the night. When you try to touch the fish, its going to react and swim away. Mine doesn't get active til well after 10pm at night. It might be normal to see a pleco breathing but not moving. It was in a tank with Piranha and had scars on it, but after a while they left it alone. Its possible that your pleco is feeling threatened by the filter, so its hiding behind it to feel safer. There are many things to consider, and you dont want to ignore signs that your fish are in trouble. The hardest test for a Pleco keeper is to get the Pleco addapted to his new home. Check to see if anything is causing the fish stress. Why is My Pleco Not Eating? It is usually an injury if it only occurs in one eye. Full Pleco Breeding Guide (Everything You Need to Know). Recently, I watched. Poor pleco got nudged accidentally with the hose, though, and he's having a -really- hard time swimming. Please help! Home Aquatic Problems & Solutions Why is My Pleco Not Moving? If the fish is still alive, it should move when you touch it. My drop checker had pretty much all of the air OUT of the "exchainge" area, in it's place was water. Nutrition might be playing a role in the fish dying as well. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! Even the tiny three-inch long zebra plecos are carnivores. Perhaps the heater stopped working and the water temperature dipped far too low. I also asked my lfs and he said they are MOST active at night. Plecos are supposed to be fairly hardy fish, and this likely made you confident enough to purchase some even as a beginner. Youll want to fix issues with the oxygen levels being too low. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. 7 Signs Your Pleco Is Dying and Needs Attention, The average life expectancy of plecos is between 10 and 15 years. We might get a modest commission at no extra cost to you. Did you add any new fish recently, particularly any wild caught or F1s? Plecos thrive in a tank setup with a variety of different natural covers, like pleco caves, stones, and driftwood. Try touching the fish and see if it reacts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypostomus_plecostomus, https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/plecostomus.html, Why Is My Goldfish Turning Black? Young animals are sensitive to too much protein. I have another one and don't want to lose both. I read that they loved blanched vegetables, so I have given them a cucumber slice the last three nights for about an hour and then took it out. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! Sometimes I will catch him moving about. If your fishs eyes appear to be bulging out of its head, it may be suffering from pop eye or exophthalmos. Weve touched on the diet already, but heres some more in-depth information. It could also mean that the fish is constipated, though. Cloudy eye is caused by bacteria and if your pleco is under stress, has had an injury, or lower immune system it can come up. The best way is to use a net or other implement to scoop them out of the water. Stress. Fish Lore is an amazon affiliate and some pages may contain links to aquarium related products on amazon: Affiliate Disclosure. I've haven't tried touching him by hand but when I touched him with a net it seemed like he tried to run away but couldn't. Loss of color is a common sign that something is wrong with your plecos. My pleco has started acting as if he's on fire! A swollen belly with pleco catfish is caused by constipation or even worse, dropsy. Both stress and poor water quality can make it more likely that the fish will get infected. A pleco might choose to remain very still and stay in the same spot all day. I like your, I found it interesting when you explained how you'd bond with your pet snake and improve recognition. When I first set up my pressurized co2 system I was gassing my fish out. When a pleco lays motionless at the bottom of the tank it also means they might be getting beat up by other fish inside. We have a separate article all about Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), so be sure to check it out. When my pleco sleeps on his back, it is usually under a wood or in a dark spot, where he wont be bothered. If the temperature of the water gets too low, then that could kill them. If you are worried, you can try to move the pleco with your hands and see if it swims away. Theyre caused by one of the following things: If your pleco has a cloudy eye but acts normal, it will probably go away by itself. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. just keep an eye on him. (+ 11 Ways To Stop Your Pleco From Eating Plants), Breeding Bristlenose Plecos (With Pictures), Pleco Size: How Big Do Plecos get? There are various products that might treat it but as for your best option on products I don't know. Physical damage. That caused me to look at all of the fish, and I saw that many were very pale. If the fish is not moving, then there are no signs of life, such as breathing or eating, then it has likely died. Is there a way to tell if a pleco fish is about to die? I know that this thread was posted in 2003 but I just wanted to revive it as we had an accident with 2 of our pleco's today, a bristlenose and a dwarf clown pleco. I had a pleco who lived out of water for 12 mins! Sometimes fish will get like this when theyre sick. Can Betta Fish Live With Guppies And Tetras? 2 comments. They do generaly but if it is stunted then I would say I lived to its maximum potential given the circumstances. A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Theres a good chance that youre not doing regular tank maintenance. Hes in a seperate bowl. JavaScript is disabled. Checking and monitoring the levels, temperature and pH will ensure the tank has the proper conditions for your pleco. Plecos are notoriously difficult to remove from a tank, its not uncommon for people to spend hours trying to find the perfect device or method to catch this fish. If you notice your pleco is breathing rapidly or gulping at the surface, its most likely because of an oxygen deficit. Plecos are often misunderstood because they dont like to be shown off, which makes sense given their wild origins. AquariaCentral.com, a division of Monster Aquaria Network, LLC. Hi, my name is Sean, and Im the primary writer on the site. It could be that the pleco is just old. Plecs are tropical fish, and goldfish are coldwater, so they're not compatible unfortunately. I don't want to lose him but I don't want him to suffer. A swollen belly isnt a good sign. Breeding pleco catfish isnt as hard as you might think. Vote. Can I do something to help? What are some signs that your pleco is dying? Pleco upside down and breathing but not moving. If the fish is unable to move, you'll need to be its gills for a while. If your plecos dont seem to be doing so well, then youre probably disheartened. Fish laying on its side, mouth open. Plecos live in environments with temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. He said that probably it was aged quite a lot. His very favorite food though is fresh raw zucchini. Bristlenose plecos are unique fish with unique needs and preferences. Fish Lore's aquarium fish forum - aquarium hobbyists helping hobbyists since 2005! The main pressure on the regulator has been dropping so I raised the main pressure in the regulator and then increased the bubble flow. I wouldn't worry too much about yours! The water might be dirty or the parameters could be way off of what they should be. Monitor your fishs feeding to ensure he is eating. Just as important is what you put in the tank. Poor water conditions usually cause bacterial infections. Rotting fins is a sign that your fish have some type of bacterial infection. If you want your plecostomus to be more active, one suggestion is to provide it with live plants and driftwood to use as hiding spots, feed it live insects and invertebrates, and offer it a variety of tank mates. No matter what we did, he would'nt come out. It's good to get confirmation as to what happened. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Plecos living in an environment with other fish could also be stressed. Here are some tips on how you can notice a sick pleco thats possibly even dying. Theres nothing wrong with a pleco than has a rounded belly (its in fact healthy) but if it looks bloated, this is bad. But getting a hold of aquari-sol quickly may be an issue. Usually, rapid breathing is caused by some pollutant or toxic in the water. Especially if they are in the breeding season. We found him on the carpet under his bed and it looked pretty dead. Make sure the tank has been cycled before introducing any fish to it so there are no dangerous spikes in the water. Another option is giving it an Epsom salt bath, which will help remove the fluid build-up in the fishs abdomen. Its wise to isolate the fish during the treatment process by setting up a quarantine tank. Youll want to try to touch the fish to see if it reacts at all. How To Know whether your pleco is dying, and the solutions for it. Plecs are also known to suck the slime coat off goldfish, causing injury and illness to the goldfish. 3. The way your one is laying is a bit worrisome. Theyre shy and somewhat reclusive and are usually content to hide in the corners of a tank. For plecos, most types need a tank thats 30 gallons in size, but there are smaller species (like bristlenose & clown plecos) that can live in a 20-gallon tank. However, if your pleco is dying: They may exhibit unusual or distressed behavior, such as rapid breathing, lethargy, or loss of appetite. It looks like he is taking his last breaths in only a day and that too without showing any symptoms of any disease. Some even buy them specifically to try to keep the fish tank clean. !My betta fish isnt moving but he is alive. Poor water conditions, bacterial infections, and even injuries have been known to make this happen. At the petstore, which of course is just a pet store.

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