All My Plecos Died.... What Did I Do Wrong?

hello fish fam,

I was given 5 super red bristlenose plecos last month and from the start it's been really difficult to feed them. I bought sinking wafers, and my paradise fish would beat them to the punch. so I bought repashy but no one in the tank would eat it. I would drop food at night because I know they eat when its night time. after this behavior for about 2 weeks I put them in my hospital tank. there I medicated them with apI general cure, 2 doses. still dropped food at night but didn't ever really see them eating.

now i'm down to 1 pleco.... and I really don't want this one to go. does anyone have any tips or getting my plecos to eat? do you think they have parasites?

thanks,
ben

 

How big are these guys? What sort of setup is the tank they were in first?

 

How big are these guys? What sort of setup is the tank they were in first?

They were all smaller than 1inch. I’m not entirely too sure how they were kept in before me.

But with me theywere in a cycled 40 breeder. I had driftwood and the temp usually stayed around 78 degrees.

 

Yes, so tiny plecos make for bad additions to larger tanks. Baby plecos have specific needs. One being a predator free tank (so no other larger fish like the gourami). A pleco that is hiding all the time won't be getting enough food. Second they must have an endless supply of biofilm to feed on 24/7. I use dried oak leaves collected in the fall. Add a handful to a 20gal tank (my pleco fry tank) and you're good to go. It provides cover, beneficial tannin, and food.

They will eat algae wafers but there are better foods for them. Boiled green beans are a favorite, as is zucchini. I've made some DIY fish jello that they also seem to love. It is best to keep young plecos in tanks w/o other bottom feeders as the little plecos will probably not get enough to eat. I'd move your last pleco to a separate, smaller tank w/o other fish. Add in some leaf litter and a piece of wood, feed daily and remove uneaten food daily. Hopefully your last guy isn't too far gone.

 

Yes, so tiny plecos make for bad additions to larger tanks. Baby plecos have specific needs. One being a predator free tank (so no other larger fish like the gourami). A pleco that is hiding all the time won't be getting enough food. Second they must have an endless supply of biofilm to feed on 24/7. I use dried oak leaves collected in the fall. Add a handful to a 20gal tank (my pleco fry tank) and you're good to go. It provides cover, beneficial tannin, and food.

They will eat algae wafers but there are better foods for them. Boiled green beans are a favorite, as is zucchini. I've made some DIY fish jello that they also seem to love. It is best to keep young plecos in tanks w/o other bottom feeders as the little plecos will probably not get enough to eat. I'd move your last pleco to a separate, smaller tank w/o other fish. Add in some leaf litter and a piece of wood, feed daily and remove uneaten food daily. Hopefully your last guy isn't too far gone.

Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it!

 

Plecos prefer a cooler temp too. Maybe lower to about 72F.

 

Yes, so tiny plecos make for bad additions to larger tanks. Baby plecos have specific needs. One being a predator free tank (so no other larger fish like the gourami). A pleco that is hiding all the time won't be getting enough food. Second they must have an endless supply of biofilm to feed on 24/7. I use dried oak leaves collected in the fall. Add a handful to a 20gal tank (my pleco fry tank) and you're good to go. It provides cover, beneficial tannin, and food.

They will eat algae wafers but there are better foods for them. Boiled green beans are a favorite, as is zucchini. I've made some DIY fish jello that they also seem to love. It is best to keep young plecos in tanks w/o other bottom feeders as the little plecos will probably not get enough to eat. I'd move your last pleco to a separate, smaller tank w/o other fish. Add in some leaf litter and a piece of wood, feed daily and remove uneaten food daily. Hopefully your last guy isn't too far gone.

Just had to make a comment on how genius the jello is!!

 

They'll need some protein as well (omnivores) to grow.