Roxane

Last night I changed the water in my tank. After I put all the fish in the tank I put my two algae eaters in the tank. The smaller one is about 7 inches long and I have had him about 3 years. He was in the tank a few minutes and it looked like he kinda stood up on his back fin. He started bleeding a lot in the tank and it was like a red cloud around him. My husband and I started freaking out thinking he was dying. After that he turned over on his back and stayed that way about 2 minutes. Then he just turned back over and swam off. He seems fine now and it has been about 15 hours since this happened. I have never given them any blood food or algae plates. After reading this I guess I should. Also I am not sure of the type he is but after looking at the pictures he looks like a pleco. What should I do to make sure he doesn't die? Thank you so much!

Amanda

Wow, I've never heard of such a thing before. You take your fish out of the tank to clean it? Or did I not read that correctly? Maybe his fin got caught & torn when you were moving him. Fish shouldn't be removed from the tank when you clean it. It stresses the fish out & may cause injuries. Also, your aquarium info says that you have a turtle in with your fish? Your other fish may become snacks to the turtle in the future.

sirdarksol

Why take your fish out for water changes? With a siphon, you can do partial water changes without removing the fish. The siphon will stress them a bit, but pulling them from the change will stress them a lot.
It's possible that it was injured during the switch, or it's possible that the turtle bit it (if I'm reading your stock right, at least).
The turtle is likely to take snaps at your fish as it grows. I have seen a turtle less than a foot long take a chunk out of a two foot musky.
The goldfish would also prefer a non-tropical (read: unheated) tank, but a 50g is at least a good size for it.

Vitachem will be a good addition to the tank to help the pleco heal from whatever injury it has.

Welcome to fishlore!

Roxane

I was having hardwood floors installed and I had to empty the tank to be able to move it out of the livingroom. I have not emptied the tank all the way in 2 years. I just use the suction tube and clean the bottom. I though he might have gotten injured when he was put back in the tank but we set him inside the tank in a stock pot of water and he swam out. So he wasn't in a net or held any. I had no idea what was going on with him and it scared us. Thanks for your reply. The turtle is a concern of mine but right now he is only the size of a quarter. He will be moved out of there before he gets big enough to do any damage. Thank you so much!

sirdarksol

Okay. That makes sense.

I'm not saying the turtle is the culprit, but I will say that it is already capable of causing harm. A turtle's beak is a dangerous implement to aquarium fish, no matter what size it is. Still, given the circumstances, I'm guessing it was harm done during the water change (not sure how, but I follow Holmes' advice in these situations).

Roxane

Well it sounds like I should move the turtle to one of the many empty tanks I have stored. Maybe then I can get him to eat his turtle food and not the fish food anymore! Well Thanks for your help and I feel better knowing that he is not dying. I am going to the fish store this afternoon and getting everything needed to fix up the algae eater. I am so glad he didn't die!!! Thank you again for your help!

Amanda

If the algae eater is a pleco - which you think it is - then depending on the type it may grow to be 2 feet long! Much too large for a 50 gal. tank. Try finding it on this site.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...hp?family_id=4

Roxane

Both of my algae eaters look different to me. I can't tell the type. If someone could help me I would appreciate it. The one on the glass is the injured one. Thanks again.

Attached Images

	Algae Eaters 002.JPG (391.1 KB, 7 views)
	Algae Eaters 004.JPG (382.2 KB, 7 views)

Amanda

They look like common plecos to me, please someone correct me if I'm wrong. They get way too large for a 50 gal. tank. They can reach 2 feet. Also, that is QUITE a bio-load in that tank with 2 plecos plus other fish. If you olan on keeping the plecos, I would get another filter for your tank. Over filtering will do the fish good since a lot of ammonia is being given off.

Roxane

How long before you think they will be to large for the tank? I have 2 filters in place already. I just hate the idea of giving up the guys. What would my other options be?

Amanda

Other options besides selling them back to your LFS? Buy a bigger tank. A 100 gal. would be ideal for the little monsters. How old are the fish now?

Chief_waterchanger

You could get a larger tank and put all but the goldfish in it, because goldfish are temperate and the others are tropical (meaning they have different temperature needs.) Their survival ability overlaps a bit, but the temperature range at which these fish thrive (temperate and tropical fish) does not overlap, sadly.

Other than getting a larger tank you would do best for them by finding a new, bigger, home for them. The downside is that a lot of people find that something outgrows their tank and it is not always easy to find someone to take them, especially common plecos, but you may be lucky.

Roxane

They are around 3.5 years old. That would be perfect if they would thrive in a 100 gallon tank. My husband and I both love them so much and we have in the past talked about getting a larger tank. I guess now we really have a reason to do so.

Chief_waterchanger

That would be awesome if you could get them a 100g. Thank you for considering the fish's needs, because a lot of people do not.

Kudos to you, Roxane.

Amanda

Wow, lucky little buggers. You'll have some happy plecos in a 100 gal. tank. I'm happy to see that someone will be keeping a couple of these monsters in a decent size tank. Make sure you post pics!

Roxane

Thank you both so much.. you have really helped me out! and I will post pics. Have a great day and talk to you soon!

sirdarksol

Sounds like you've got things figured out (except for the "why" of the pleco's injuries, but as long as he's okay now, there's not much more you can do about it). I'm with CWC; Thank you for thinking of your critters' needs and wants. They will repay you by living longer, more active lives.