lisak421

Hello everyone, this is my first post, desperately looking for help for my pleco.

He's approx. 10-12 years old, in a 55 gallon tank with only a few non-aggressive fish.

I noticed he hasn't been eating and he just starts going crazy going from one end to the other end of the tank bashing into everything. His nose is all bruised like a white color and has little white nicks on him. I did a water change, checked all my levels and everything is within the norm except the hardness which has always been high. None of the other fish are sick. I some driftwood and rocks to avoid him bashing into them.

Today he looked like he was trying to get to the top of the tank just kinda staying a float moving back and forth. Now, he's on the bottom, just laying there with some battle wounds on him. I don't know what to do.

I unplugged my powerheads thinking he maybe freaking out from the current(they been there for 2 years now) It looks like he knocked them off, plants are be moved, rocks are being moved...he is just spazzing out. The other fish just move to get out of his way. He acts like he's having trouble seeing.

Any help?

Thanks for any ideas.....I sure would like to help him.

Lisa

Butterfly

Anytime there is a problem in a tank a good size water change is in order. How big is the plec?
If you have another tank you can put him in by himself it might help to calm him down. Leaving the lights off is also calming. Let us know how he is doing.
Carol

cichlid seeker

might be ick?

Butterfly

ICH looks like grains of salt on the skin, does he have any of these symptoms ?
Carol

cichlid seeker

she said he had little white nicks on him.

Butterfly

yep from bashing around I think. ICH actually looks like the fish has been salted
Carol

lisak421

I don't think it's ick, but I'm watching him for it.

He's about 10 inches long, I took a picture of him and will post it if I can find a way. I only have a few fish, an angel fish, some small pilot fish and a kuhlie(sp?) loach. My loach is about 15 years old now. I've been watching the other fish for signs but I haven't seen anything yet. He hasn't been eating, I may try the cucumbers to see if that will help.

Carol, I do have another tank but it's only a 10 gallon. I don't want to stress him out. I have noticed a lot of algae building up. I also noticed some really dark brownish black stuff building up too. I am planning on doing a vacuum and and a large water change. I don't know what to do with the undergravel filter and power heads. I don't know if I want that in there anymore.

If I do need to remove my pleco, what is the best way to do it? I heard using a net is not good that you should catch him with your hands. Any suggestions?

Thanks for all your help, I really do appreciate your input.

Lisa

lisak421

I took a picture to post, having problems posting it. But I went to edit it and I enlarged it to get a good look and it looks like he has salt on him. I'm off to the petstore.

Lisa

Butterfly

Plecs are very sensitive to medications. Raise the temperature to 82F or above for 14 days. do frequent water changes(warmer water has less oxygen in it).Plecs are huge waste producers so need large water changes done on their tank. Good Luck!
carol

lisak421

Hi everybody,

So far he's hanging on. His nose seems scraped up more.

I started the Miracide on Friday, 1/2 the dose for day one. 3/4 the dose on day 2, and tonight was the full dose. I have moved the temperature up and bought some of the Omega one veggie rounds. None of them tried the cucumber.

I noticed he was pooping a very thin strand....I hope this to be a sign he is eating. He still seems to go a little crazy, but not as frequent. I am hoping for the best.

I thank you all for your input, it always helps when someone else knows how you feel.

Lisa

Butterfly

We've all had sick fish so yes we know how you feel Please keep us up on how he's feeling.
Carol

armadillo

Hi Lisa. How's your fish? You have such old fish and your posts are so complete and to the point. Sounds like you're a very knowledgable and responsible fish owner. Your fish are lucky to have you. I'll be hoping for the best for your pleco.

My pinch of salt (excuse the pun) on the issue. I think moving him might be a lot more stressful than leaving him there with the other fish, especially as he's behaving erratic as it is from the disease.

Trpimp147

i would try some salt in the tank, that relaxes my fish when there stressed.

armadillo

I thought of that (for the ich). But apparently plecos aren't too keen on salt. It all depends on the quantity, though, right? I don't really know, but I find this an interesting suggestion. Does anyone know if it's a good idea in this case?

Butterfly

Plecs aren't real fond of salt and in his weakened condition I wouldn't recommend it.
carol

lisak421

He's still going, he's on the glass, at the top of the tank. I noticed some more strands of poop, but not normal yet, very thin. His nose is really beat up. I will do 1/2 water change this weekend. I don't want to stress him out anymore than he is.

I don't know what to do about the salt, I've never done it before. I am a bit concerned with his nose being raw too.

Has anyone ever used Melafix, it an antibacterial fish remedy. I have used it before when he had gotten stressed and injured from a fish tank move, I really thought he was going to die. I was very pleased with the outcome, it's good for open wounds. Any thoughts? I wouldn't do it until after the water change.

Does anyone know how to attach a picture?

Thanks again for your input, I am very grateful to all of you.

Lisa

Trpimp147

it seemed to calm my plecos down i didnt put a full dose in though. it says like one table spoon for liek 5 gal i put in maybe 3 table spoons in for a 75 gal tank, no need to over do it, salt helps out with slime coating fish if im correct and that should help the pleco heal if im thinking right. i dont kno im not a pro im just going off what i have done and what i have been told to do with most fish to do that with them just to relax them. some fish dont get botherd by salt that much so people give them a salt bath which is put in the full amount and then add 1 or 2 table spoons more to help with the slime coat. i would suggest going to you LPS or pming a person that has like alot of post on here and see what they think. and if that stuff worked for you before i wouldnt see why it would hurt to do it again if its beating it self up now... good luck by the way just trying to help and give ya another rout rather watching it suffer...

armadillo

Aren't there any catfish meds out there? I know some meds are specifically meant for fry (lower concentrations).

lisak421

I came home yesterday and his nose is split and bleeding. I now have him in a 10 gallon hospital aquarium. I put some Metaflix in hoping this will help. I used a large plastic strainer to get him out...........boy he is strong. He wasn't too happy about his new living quarters either. I figure this is my last hope in getting him better. I have another tank set up for the other fish too, tonight I will drain the 55 gallon and clean it good, reserving some of the water to put back in. If my pleco is better in a week, I will also put him back in.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Lisa

Did you get a chance to see the pic I posted of him?

Butterfly

When you clean your 55G rinse every thing(decor, gravel, plants etc) in used tank water or at least dechlorinated water and keep it wet until re-insertion back into the tank to prevent a mini cycle from bacteria being destroyed.
when I tore my tanks down to move I couldn't believe the crud under the rocks. I am fanatic about water changes and gravel vacuums too I just couldn't believe the stuff in there so maybe this will help, just watch water parameters when you set it back up.
Since theres not alot of good bacteria in the water I don't know that I would save alot of it.
Carol

fishlover1

Do you have sharp rocks on the bottem of your tank? If you do this may be causing the cuts/scrapes because they swim so close to the rocks. Check for sharp edges. Sorry no help on the medications part. :[ I hope so much your pleco gets better its so great you have had him/her that long. Best of luck and my wishes.

lisak421

He's still hanging on. The split on his snout has now turned in a pea size hole. It's not bleeding anymore. He's still in a hospital tank and I'm still doing Metaflex. He pooped a whole bunch last night. He seems to be lethargic and breathing heavy, I don't think he's going to make it. I sure have tried. Thanks for all your help, it was well worth trying. I can only hope he's not hurting.

My heart is quite sad right now.

Lisa

lisak421

My pleco is still going. I can't believe how much he is pooping though. Guess he is eating all the food I've been putting in. I've bee changing some of his water too. From not having a filter it's pretty nasty. I've been taking 3 gallons out, putting some in from the 55 gal and then adding his medicine and salt. I still have the temp up too. He seems a little more active, maybe there is some hope after all.

I have his hospital tank on the floor, the last couple of nights I lay down on the floor next to him and just look at him. He looks right at me and watches me. His snout looks a little better today, so maybe it's healing. I just don't want to get my hopes to high, I know he is still pretty sick.

So that's the update for tonight. I'm going to go feed him and call it a night.

Have a good night.

Lisa

armadillo

Oh Lisa it sounds like you're really really really attached to him. I really hope he makes it. You're going through so much trouble for him. You're being a great carer. Best wishes for his recovery.

Butterfly

Thats wonderful!

He's getting plenty of veggies ?

While he's healing he needs his water as clean as possible. If he doesn't have a filter I recommend vacuuming the bottom and a fresh water change just about everyday. As you know Plecs can really put out the poo

Thanks for the update Lisa keep us posted, Hang in there! He knows you love him
Carol

lisak421

He's been getting on the glass and seems to be a little bored with the the hospital tank. He's been very active. His nose looks like it is starting to heal, he is really putting out the poop. I think I am going to send him back to his nice clean 55 gallon tank and see how he does. If he looks like he is having problems then he'll go back to the hospital aquarium.

I hope I'm doing the right thing, he's been in the hospital tank for 11 days now.

Keep your fingers crossed for him.

Lisa

Butterfly

Fingers crossed
Carol

armadillo

This is looking so much better. I really hope he makes it. You've tried so hard.

lisak421

Thanks Carol and Armadillo. So far so good. He didn't like the strainer action in his hospital aquarium, he was bashing around and got the snout bleeding. He seemed happy to be in his 55 gallon, he got right on the glass. I did medicate the 55 gallon last night too. I thought I would for a couple of days, then see how the snout heals. I still have the tank at 82 degrees too, will bring that back down to 76 when he starts to improve.

I just turned the tank light on and he is on the glass and seems to be doing good. The snout isn't bleeding so hopefully he'll relax now.

I appreciate you all hanging out with me through this. Don't know how much you really attach yourself until you lose them, I came real close with this guy and know he still isn't 100 % yet. I do have hope for him though and pray he will get better with time.

You're the best, thank you!

Lisa

Butterfly

Welcome as always I always get attached to my fish and worry about them like I would one of the kids and when somebody else has a sick fish I worry right along with them LOL
Carol