Did I Kill My Pleco!?

Hi, tonight I moved all my fish from their 75 into their 180. I managed to get my catfish and Pleco out by simply lifting their hiding spots and putting it into a bowl with them still in the hiding spots then from the bowl into new tank, with the fish still in the hiding spots. My Pleco is usually very active at night and has not left his hiding spot since being put in the new tank. Lights has been out for hours now. Should I shake him out of it or let him come out on his own? He was the easiest fish to move too! Now he’s the shyest, all the other fish are out exploring their new tank. He’s hiding in his log, in the same spot as he was in the 75. I don’t even know if he knows we moved him into a bigger tank. I haven’t seen him even move. Still in the same position he was in when I took him out the 75. Do you think the instant change could of killed him? He’s such a beauty! I hope the sudden change didn’t hurt him. I made the change quick as possible from the old tank to the new. Same water temps so I put them instantly in from the 75 to the 180 I don’t want to force him out and stress him out. What do you guys think?

 

Plecos are fairly territorial and grow comfort in them . New place new fears and new need of territory . Could just be very shy till he finds his new territorial space . Could take a few weeks though .

 

Plecos are fairly territorial and grow comfort in them . New place new fears and new need of territory . Could just be very shy till he finds his new territorial space . Could take a few weeks though .

Thanks! How does he know he’s in a new territory if he didn’t even leave his log? The move was so extremely easy that I’m unsure he even knew he was moved into a new tank except for the few seconds he was exposed to air.

 

Trust me they know immediately . Animals are way more sensitive to the slightest things than we are

 

Trust me they know immediately . Animals are way more sensitive to the slightest things than we are

Thanks! I won’t force him out then. I was just worried I didn’t see the slightest motion from him since relocating him and the log. I can’t wait for him to explore his new home .

 

Goodluck . Plecos are fairly tough . So I think he is just being shy rn

 

Goodluck . Plecos are fairly tough . So I think he is just being shy rn

He’s alive! I officially made eye contact with him! I saw him move in his log, he briefly looked at me before burying his face back in his log. Oh, and what is weird is his log! I don’t know how he still fits in it! Here’s the log with him in it, taken just now and here’s a pic of him from 2 years ago. I was going to replace his log with a bigger hiding place but I’d hate to cause more stress and he seems to fit in there when he wants in lol! I just don’t know how!

 

Stunning pleco! Good to know you're keeping one in a properly sized tank, too!

 

Stunning pleco! Good to know you're keeping one in a properly sized tank, too!

I am ashamed to admit I kept 3 Bala Sharks, that Pleco, a Red Tail Black Shark, Pictus Catfish and mollies in a 75 up until today when I got them in their 180. The photo you seen was in the 75. Here’s my 75 and the 180 before it was set up.

 

I felt bad for my Balas in the 75 for so long, so happy they are in a 180. I’m certain they are happier too!