Brendahagemeister

I have a pleco that has been in my 55 gallon tank for at least 11 years. I inherited the pleco in the tank in november of 1998. He is approx 12-14 inches long. About a week ago I lost a flare fin(it had been in my tank for almost as long). I had only two flare fin, one shark fish, and the pleco in my tank at the time..ever since that flaer fin died my pleco will not go up to the surface to eat-he likes the regular fish food and used to go up to the top of the tank when I opened the lid and eat the food upside down as I dropped it into the water. now his tail is limp , he does not swim and I thought he was a gonner a few days ago, but he won't die so am hopeful their is something I need to do. He is still breathing but has lost weight and his tail is curled to the side and doesn't seem able to move it much and sometimes just floats like he is dead but he isn't. any ideas. by the way I do nothing with this tank, do not clean it, add any chemicals, just well water. I know, but they have lived this long and every time I did something some fish died so for years I have left it with just these fish and they have been fine.

Lucy

Hi Brenda welcome to Fish Lore

I'm sorry you're pleco isn't doing well. 11 years old is a pretty long life for a fish.
You must have taken good care of him.

When things start to go wrong,the first thing to do would be to check the readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate then go from there.
If you could post these, the members can begin to try and help.

Good luck, I hope he perks up for you.

MeGustaUnaPez926

I think that you should do a water change regardless, especially if you don't clean the tank. After being set up for so long its most likely cycled, but a water change is always good. Just remember to condition the water.
It sounds like maybe internal parasites? The curled tail, loss of appetite, floating... If I am correct than quarantine him and treat him with Jungle Parasite Clear Tablets then maybe Maracyn 2.
Good luck, hope he pulls through.