TheDon

my pleco seems to have gone from a dark black to a light brown with spots..

this was after I had him in my 45 gallon tank with 12 convict cichlids(which he was still black) and then back into the 5 gallon because the cichlids would bother him.

the 5 gallon tank has light colours stones and I think he is camouflaging himself since there is no cave for him in the 5 gallon..

ideas?

gremlin

I have heard that plecos can camo themselves to a certain extent to match their background...maybe throw some purple stones in and see if he turns purple?

Chief_waterchanger

What kind of pleco?

Plecos can change their color to a degree to blend in better. HOWEVER, it is probably stress coloration. Plecos should not be kept in a 5g, and should ALWAYS be given hiding spots. Stress can lead to a lowered immune system strength, which can lead to bacteria/parasites in the tank taking advantage of the situation of little immune system to overcome. Parasites/bacteria include ICH, finrot, colmnnaris, etc.

I would put hiding spots such as caves, PVC pipe lengths (synthetic cave option), etc for it to hide in and get it in a larger than 5g tank.

TheDon

I only put him back into the 5 gallon because the 45 gallon had a really nice spike in ammonia but it is going down now.. that might have tee'd him off.. I'll put him back in the 45 tomorrow afternoon..

I think its a common pleco.. (black) I bought it from wal mart so that helps alot.

the konvic cichlids took over all of the caves in the 45 so he has to sneak in to one or play around in the sand .. thats what he did last week

Chief_waterchanger

Maybe add one or two more caves than there are convict cichlids, if possible? but yeah, probably common pleco if from wal-mart. Hope you understand it will need a 75g tank by the time it is full grown in a couple of years. (2-3 I think). I commend you for saving it from ammonia spikes, and keeping a close eye on the chemistry.

chrismorley

mate im not 50% sure but this could be your fish could be under presure
because that same thing happend to one of ma cichlids but after a while he got his colours back so yeah