jnb1984

I've had my pleco for a day now and I've noticed strands in my aquarium.
Is he shedding or is something else going on?

matt6765

I dont think they do

jnb1984

My link wouldn't work to add pics to my post. so i created a public album with pics in there.

matt6765

ok I will give it a look

matt6765

hmmm..... I dont know

CHoffman

No Plecos do not shed. It could very well be some kind of worm or parasite your pleco has. It doesn't look like normal poop to me. What color is it??

Brimstonepdx

in pics 3 and 4 it looks like the poo my 18" pleco used to dish out when I had one, except his usually broke up into big chunks by the time it hit the bottom. What are you feeding it?

Butterfly

Looks like he's been eating very well
Carol

Aldric

i cant seem to see his pics

CHoffman

Go to his profile.

I guess if it is poop I hope my pleco's never do that..lol...Of course they are smaller but yikes..I'd be having my gravel vac in there 24/7...

That should be a picture that pops up every time someone writes. "pleco's are big waste producers". That way people believe it.

jnb1984

i haven't fed it anything yet( got him on sat.aug 8/09). i went on vacation for a week and just left an auto feeder for my beta. when i came back 2 sides of glass were almost covered with algae. i figured the pleco would like it, so i got one. from what ive heard all around, they love algae until they get old? i don't mind changing water. its easy with my 10g. id rather change water than scrub the glass.

Butterfly

Yep looks like algae poo alright
Carol

CHoffman

Yup water changes are way easy in a 10gallon but that pleco is going to get HUGE up to 24" long actually.

Butterfly

Yup and if he keeps pooing like that the ammonia is going to spike out of the roof in a tank that size. Doesn't take much to make a small tank go wrong. Keep up those water changes.
Carol

jnb1984

ive got a 29g and a 55g i can move him to when i need to.

acidpope

The Platy in my tank do the same thing when they eat alot of the algae on the decor/gravel. It's very unsightly. Just one of my Platy goes to the bathroom as much as my other fish combined each day it seems. Munch munch munch, always munchin'! My Oto do the same, but their poo is so small it's unnoticable.

Here is a pic of one of my Platy with the same thing you have in your tank. It's as freakin long or longer than he is!

cerianthus

I dont know if it will skyrocket but it may if tank isnt well established to begin with. If does increase, pwc should help until subsides. Should check nitrite also. Once tank is reestablished well to handle extra bioload(POO), should not have further difficulties unless bio-activity are lost.

10G is small volume of H2O thus should monitor the H2O more often.

As far as shedding, have seen them do such when exposed to extreme pH. So check your pH also.
Is there any eel or scaleless fish which usually has thicker slime coat?

Shawnie

your pics in your album is totally what pleco poo is like...nothing to worry about its all normal

aquarist48

I think you have one healthy fish there! I would not worry too much. Mine does the same thing. Big long strands, solid. I think it's a good sign
Ken