FL CommunityFans

Just picked up a BN pleco for my daughter, and after waiting for about 30-45 mins for it to acclimate, went to change it over. In the process of netting him from the bag to the tank, his bristles somehow tangled themselves in the net. It was wound up pretty tightly, and he started flinging himself this way and that way. My daughter (5yo) sat there with her mouth open about in tears. Of course I then made her hold the net handle with the fish in the water, while I ran to get some scissors... of course I needed them and couldn't find them. Managed to find some small wire cutters and used it to snip the net away from around the bristles. He swam for about 10 seconds then went to the bottom and lay in one spot for a good 20 minutes.. he then swam a bit more and moved to a new spot and hasn't moved since. I had to hold him out of water for about 15 seconds while I attempted to 'surgically' cut around his bristles using WIRE CUTTERS! *sigh* At any rate, I managed to get him free as I said and he has just been resting since. He looks like he has a bruise/contusion/something from the flailing he did at the start, not sure how, unless he banged himself on the edge of the net which is definitely possible.

Notice the red spot near the middle of the head? Serious? What to do?

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MissMTS

I don't know about the red spot, but I sure am sorry about the bad start. I got my own BN pleco last night and after UPS left the package in my mailbox with no note (I finally discovered he was in there at 9pm) my pleco jumped out of the net when I tried to put him in the tank. He fell behind the bed and it was a full 5 minutes before I could get to him. Amazingly, he survived. I hope your little guy makes it.

Chief_waterchanger

A lot of bristlenose plecos turn red on their "forehead" area when aggrevated. It should go away when he calms down.

FL CommunityFans

Sorry to hear that newbee.

Yes, CWC, that colored spot has definitely faded a fair bit since last night. He's looking much better.

Faye Rod

Hope he makes it - you and your daughter will enjoy him - mine likes to hide in caves. He always freezes when the floor vibrates when we approach the tank. It's like a game to see him move.

Have you heard about algae tablets and cucumber slices for him? Might be good to give him a treat after his trauma.

FL CommunityFans

Picked up algea wafers when we got him and I have some fresh zucc in the fridge

darkwolf29a

I had the same thing happen. Honestly, when I mess with my catfish, of any sort (corys, plecos,etc), I just use my hand now, since...I know they won't get all wound up that. LOL

Good Luck with him, he's pretty.