I'm Fostering A 10yr Old Plecostomus

hI there! I'm new to owning fish. The fam had to move out of state temporarily to care for a family member. Al is about 10 years old, about 7in long, in a 10 gallon tank. The directions I was given:

• change water 7-10 days using mountain spring water to fill 1/3-1/2 of the water
• change filter when changing water
• his water is supposed to look a bit green bc it's an algae fish (???)
• feed 2x a day
• talk to Al, he's a social fish and responds to you (yes, he does!)

My concerns are:

• should his water BE GREEN?? it's not opaque, but I don't think it looks right. I just looked up how to test the PH levels and have ordered a kit
• I was told at Pet Smart that using faucet water is better for them, along with the additive, but since Al is 10 yrs old and used to spring water, keep the spring water and use this additive: Top Fin Bacteria Supplement. He also said the water should not be green, but that may be due to using spring water. I'm seeing conflicting info on what Pet Smart guy suggested.
• Al's eyes just got a cloudy look over them earlier this week, researching this led me to the water/PH balance thing.
• I think the tank is too small for him, but not sure it's appropriate to change it on them since I'm just fostering so I'd prefer to keep the existing tank if possible. It contains just one plastic plant (does he need rocks? more decor?)
• I wonder if existing the filter is enough. It's a standard filter (about 5in in height).

Any suggestions are highly appreciated. PS since fostering Al, I recently got a betta fish, his name is Floyd; yes they're separated.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

Sorry to say, the tank is way too small for the pleco. Since he's been in there for 10 yrs, I'm guessing it's a stunted common pleco? Do you have a pic?

You should change the water twice a week. You can use tap water and add a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine. Most here prefer Seachem Prime but API Stress Coat is good too (I use both). Prime can also neutralize ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. The green water is usually algae in the water column and can be reduced by less light. I would also recommend API Master Test Kit to test ammonia, nitrites and nitrates in the tank.

The cloudy eye is an infection and usually clears up with clean water.

Most plecos need driftwood to rasp on and helps digestion.

You might want to look up nitrogen cycle for tanks.

Good Luck!

 

Here's a pic of Al. I've increased the contrast settings so that his markings are easier to see.

 

just a tip, I read your post and you mentioned you're supposed to change filter/clean it etc after water change. I strongly advise against this. It can actually kill your bacteria colony or cause an algae bloom. What I usually do when I clean filters is wait at least 3 days after a water change.

unfortunately the tank is much too small.. But since upgrading isn't an option, I'd do water changes every other day at least. It will reduce the green water.

I'd also read up on the nitrogen cycle.

 

I posted a pic of Al and hope this will help identify him better. I'll order the Seachem Prime. As for test kits, I see API Master Test Kit says its for freshwater or saltwater - does this not matter or am I looking at the wrong product? I'll look into driftwood and the nitrogen cycle as well. THANK YOU!

Welcome to Fishlore!

Sorry to say, the tank is way too small for the pleco. Since he's been in there for 10 yrs, I'm guessing it's a stunted common pleco? Do you have a pic?

You should change the water twice a week. You can use tap water and add a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine. Most here prefer Seachem Prime but API Stress Coat is good too (I use both). Prime can also neutralize ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. The green water is usually algae in the water column and can be reduced by less light. I would also recommend API Master Test Kit to test ammonia, nitrites and nitrates in the tank.

The cloudy eye is an infection and usually clears up with clean water.

Most plecos need driftwood to rasp on and helps digestion.

You might want to look up nitrogen cycle for tanks.

Good Luck!

 

you'll want the freshwater kit. ApI has kits for both water types.

 

you'll want the freshwater kit. ApI has kits for both water types.

Thank you!

just a tip, I read your post and you mentioned you're supposed to change filter/clean it etc after water change. I strongly advise against this. It can actually kill your bacteria colony or cause an algae bloom. What I usually do when I clean filters is wait at least 3 days after a water change.

unfortunately the tank is much too small.. But since upgrading isn't an option, I'd do water changes every other day at least. It will reduce the green water.

I'd also read up on the nitrogen cycle.

Thank you!

 

How long are you fostering him for? He really should have a bigger tank. I understand it's hard to do when you are fostering him, but perhaps when your family is back and things have settled down you could look into getting him something more appropriate. A 7 inch fish in a 10 gallon doesn't leave much wiggle room. You could keep him in a large plastic tote, which would give him a lot more space. The downside is that it is much harder to monitor a fish which is important especially while his eyes are cloudy.

Generally, it is good to check info that employees, or anyone, gives you. Often people in the fish department at chain stores don't actually keep fish. I'm glad you are asking for help here! There are a lot of members with lots of information.

As far as filter cleaning, I agree that you shouldn't clean it every week. The filter holds beneficial bacteria that is essential for keeping a tank clean. You can rinse it once a week, but make sure to rinse it in dechlorinated water, not water from the tap. Tap water will kill the bacteria. Tank water or the spring water is good for rinsing.

 

I am going to go against the grain here and against what I know is normally the best way to house this big guy. He has lived in this tank for 10 years. His family gave instructions probably based on how they have been caring for him during those 10 years.

We all want what is best for him but drastic changes from what he is used to could very well cause problems. If it were me I would follow the instruction I was given.

as always, just my humble opinion.

 

As you change the water you can mix tap and bottle to get him used to tap water (25% tap first change, make sure to dechlorinate if you have city water), this will make it easier for you as you will not have to buy bottled water.
Since he is used to this environment it is best to take it slow so you don't shock him - he needs cleaner water to clear up the cloudy eyes and algae (less light is easiest way, about 6 hours or you can do two light times one when you wake up, turn off light a couple hours later, then turn it back on a few hours later, then turn it back off a few hours after that, it causes some algae to be unhappy and unwilling to grow - he might rely on some algae but a stable diet will help him in the long run). Since he is a common pleco a little meatier food will help keep him healthy - shrimp pellets is the easiest form of that. Veggies and some fruits can be given to him to eat (and likely he would eat those over algae).

 

Wow, that’s a tough one. I would have to agree with mattgirl on this one simply because it’s someone else’s fish.

If I had the means to upgrade his environment, I would ask the fish’s owners first.

I once got a free 30 gallon hex tank off craigslist but it had to include the fish... about a hundred guppies and a 7yr old (10in) male common pleco. The couple were moving into a retirement home and couldn’t take their fish. The husband really cared that the pleco would be looked after.

I decided to add him to one of my 135g tanks, no acclimation. They are not easy to move. They get big and strong and can damage themselves by thrashing about. He is still doing well after about 10 months and has an amazing personality, like he’s so happy to be in a tank that he can actually swim in.

In this case however the fish actually became mine. So I gave him the biggest tank I had available, which is still debatably too small. And I can see he has some quirks from growing up in such a small tank. Like he will go completely erect to turn around sometimes like he forgets he has room to do it normally.

Sorry for rambling. But I can imagine how hard it is to care for someone’s pet that you know is not in good circumstances. all I can suggest is to check with the owners before changing anything. If you change something and he dies they might be upset and blame you.