housezoo99

My Pleco has been acting very strange in the last week or so. He used to move around the tank and hang on the walls or castle, whatever suited him. Recently, he seems to not be able to keep his tail down, it floats to the top. He basically is sucking on to the tank with half of his body exposed to the open air and half under water. When he scoots off to swim, he can do it for a minute, but when he stops swimming he floats back to the top and holds on there. Has anyone seen this before. Sounds like a buoyancy problem to me, but and not sure the reason. He is about 7 years old I believe. In the last two days now I have woke to find the Pleco on his back with his mouth open to the top of the tank. I am worried he is dying. I touch the water and he scurries off and attaches the side of the tank again, but he is still exhibiting the signs as previously stated. Anymore thoughts?

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!
I hope he gets better!!!
how long has the tank been set up? what tank mates does he have with him?
whats the readings for ammonia/nitrites/nitrates?

housezoo99

Shawnie, I do not currently have a test kit, so I am unaware on the levels in the tank, but that never seemed to matter to this fish before. He is very resilient. I also have two ciclids in the tank with him, but that is it right now. We just did a water change this weekend in hopes that that would help him, but he is still acting the same way.

whisper

Sounds like swim bladder from over feeding but I don't know if plecos get that maybe someone else will know. What do you think Shawnie?