Chrissy

I purchased a beautiful spotted pleco, (looked almost black, very active) about a month ago. He was in good condition, was very happy to join my 8 tiger barbs, and he ate all the algae in the tank. A couple days ago he still seemed to be doing fine, but when I came home from church I noticed he wasn't moving and he looked lighter. He died. What did I do wrong? He seemed to be okay for the longest time. Any suggestions would help.
Signed,
So Sad

Butterfly

Welcome to FishLore Chrissy, stop in at the welcome forum and let us welcome you properly
I'm so sorry to hear about your pleco. We all get attached to our fish and it hurts to lose them.
Could you tell us a little about your tank please? Size? How long has it been set up? what are your water test results. ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates? what other fish do you have in the tank?
Carol

Isabella

As Carol has asked, what is the size of your tank? How long have you had it? And, did you feed the pleco anything else in addition to the algae he ate in your tank? Did you get a lot of algae?

Chrissy

Hi Carol, Sorry it took me so long to write back. Been pretty busy. My tank size is a 30 gallon long. I've had it since March and i've had the same 8 tiger barbs in it since March. Before and after Bruce died I checked the ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels. Everything was normal. The only thing my pleco was eating for the month that I had him was the algae in my tank. There was a whole bunch in there. Did he die from eating too much? I've been trying to find info on plecos but i've been unable to. I'd appreciate any help I can get because i am new at this.
Thanks
Chrissy

Butterfly

Chrissy I doubt he died from eating too much. After they eat all the algae they have to be fed, usually fresh veggies or veggie wafers. What kind of pleco was he and how big?What were your ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate readings?
Good places to find out about plecos are www.planetcatfish.com and www.plecofanatics.com
Carol

Isabella

I've heard plecos need to be fed in addition to the algae they eat in a tank. Could he have died of malnutrition?

Besides, a 30 gallon tank is way too small for a pleco once it's fully grown.