Jess85

Hi there,

I've had my Hypostomus plecostomus for six months. It has developed a new behaviour where it rests inside its log upside down, if approach the tank it will quickly resume sucking the log in its usual fashion. I first noticed this new behaviour a week ago and it has continued to behave this way. It still swims and feeds as normal. Does anyone have any information about this issue? I am very worried!

Also - you will notice my tank size is small. I was first informed that this fish would be fine in a small tank for a year or two but after reading about them I've looked into getting a bigger one.

Jess

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

One of our plecos likes to do that. As far as I know, it's nothing to be concerned about and just a personal preference of some plecos.

aquarist48

I agree with CoBettaCouple. If he has just sucked himself to a log and is hanging upside down I wouldn't worry either. If he is flipped over on his back on the bottom I'd have to say hmmmmmmm . Can both of you elaborate a bit more please? Mine likes to stay inside a terracotta column I have in the tank. I've never seen him just flipped over on his back though. Hanging upside down yes. Thanks and have a good weekend!

fishchick

Mine, will see the flakes , and eat upside down, its so funny to watch ! Will be on the side and just flip right over !

Jess85

I will restate what I initially wrote because it seems some people are confused, apologies for this!

My pleco is inside his favourite log, now normally he will be sucking on it upside down or on the side etc. Lately (during the day mostly) I have been catching him upside down, not sucking on the log. When I approach the tank, he will resume sucking on the log. It's as if I am waking him up. Sometimes I need to tap once on the tank to get him to resume sucking on the log.

At night, he feeds and swims around normally.

I have been on other forums and most have told me not to worry, that this behaviour means the pleco is very relaxed and has fallen asleep. One person however, told me it might mean that the pleco is ill.

Has anyone had any bad experiences after their pleco showed this behaviour? I did a complete water change and will be purchasing a larger tank within a month to try and prevent illness.

gremlin

How much room is inside the log? If your pleco is holding himself up by his fins or resting on his back or fins close enough that he does not need to hold on with the sucker. My two plecos are large enough that sometimes when they were in the log or under some of the decor, they would let go and just sort of float a bit on their back since they were already nearly laying on their backs. As long as he continues to eat and swim normally, I wouldn't worry too much.

If you look carefully in the log, you can see one of the plecos sucked up under the roof of the log. After all, the chinese algae eater is sitting on the bottom...

Attached Images

cleaning crew in their log 11 30 08.JPG (110.4 KB, 48 views)

gradyvogt

I am glade to see this. My pleco has been doing this now for over a month. I keep thinking he is going to die. But when you walk to the tank he flips and does his job. There are no signs of stress and he has been in my 30 gal for almost 4 years now. He is fast healthy. I notice he always picks the front right of the tank to float, he enen lays on the plants at times. Really goofy, he has never done this that I am aware of.... From reading posts I see this is normal for the fish and not harmfull... This must be a form a comfort since they would not do this if there was fear of being food for another fish....

socks2009

My 7 month old pleco sometimes looks like he has just forgot to keep sucking, and can be laid on his side with a gap between his mouth and the rocks, i panicked at first but watching him, it just seems he slowly floats away from the surface (maybe sleeping??) otherwise he is perfectly healthy, active, eating etc.
I agree with the comfort thing, if he is relaxed and happy don't worry.