My poor pleco...

I just noticed today as my pleco came out of his hiding spot, that he has been hiding in for like a couple weeks now. He has a spot on his back that looks irritated He has been hiding behind the heater and i'm wondering if he got burned by being back there so much. :'( I just checked my water paramerters and everyhting is perfect--will do a water change tonight-- no signs of illness with any of the other fish-- I don't know what to do-- well I added some aquarium salt-- :-\I know, I know i've read so much regarding the use of salt, but thought it would help heal his wound. could he be telling me that he likes the temp higher?? the temps here in CT have been really cold, should I adjust the temp and watch him to see if he stays back there??? ??? PLEASE ANYONE-- CAN YOU HELP ME...Lila

 

It could be heater burn, just to make sure I would move the heater. I wouldn't add anymore salt as it usually does more harm than good to plecos. What's your current temperature and what type of pleco. My BN pleco likes his 77degrees no problems.

 

I don't know what kind :-\ temp is 78. here is a pic...

duh--move the heater... thanks

 

I can't see anything wrong with it with that picture. If he's acting normal than it's probably heater burn and I think there are such things as heater guards you can buy. temperature is fine, though it looks like a common pleco.

 

this pic in not recent-- I will try to get a new one with the spot on his back just above his dorsal fin. we moved the heater and he seems to not have noticed--still goes to the same spot but at least is not getting burned--thanks for your help-- and now I know he's a common pleco!! Thanks again-- LILA

 

He looks like a common pleco to me too. Just a word of caution. I noticed you have a 20 gallon tank. Common plecos will grow to be 15 - 18 inches long. It is a misconception that they only grow to the size of their environment. There are decorator plecos that only grow 3 - 4 inches that are better for a smaller tank. If you like the fish, think about a bigger home - like a 55 gallon. If you want to stay with the 20 gallon, think about trading him in while he's still small.

Also, I have a 75 freshwater tank with 7 decorator plecos in it (I know - I love them. They get lots of algae pellets and bottom food). I keep a TBS of salt per 10 gallons in my tank all the time. It has never bothered any of them, so you shouldn't have a problem with that.

Debbie
(Keeping fish for over 30 years)