Mysterious Convulsing Plecos!!

PLEASE HELP! We have two Pleco fish (one 9 inches, the other 6 inches). We've had them for about 8 months, but recently have begun to have quite a few problems. It started when the small Pleco got stuck in a rock and ripped up his right side. We took him out and put him in a small tank full on medicine. He stayed in there for about a week, and showed major signs of improvement. Thinking he was healed enough, we put him back in the large tank. A few days later, I found him convulsing continually. When I looked, he had a new wound on his left side.
So, we took him out again and put him in the small tank (again with medicine). This time, we left him in there until all his wounds were healed. About two weeks. Good as new, we put him back in the large tank two months ago. We've never had a problem with the large Pleco.

(Later we discovered that the rock the small Pleco lived in had some very sharp edges)

Tonight, I looked in the tank, and found BOTH Pleco's convulsing and breathing heavily. Neither have any signs of wounds or injury. They've calmed down a bit now, but are still shaking every few seconds--been over three hours now.

We've checked every possible thing in the tank, and nothing seems to be wrong. We did a partial water change this afternoon, but nothing out of the ordinary that should have triggered this. PLEASE, please if anyone has any ideas as to what could be causing this, PLEASE reply!!

Thank You

 

Do a 50% change NOW.
Do another tomorrow and every day for a week.

It sounds like ammonia poisoning.

What is your water changing schedule? What size aqauriun are they in?

I hope your fish come thru this ok.

And welcome to the site.

Dino

 

Okay, we've done a 2/3 water change (between what we took out now and what we changed earlier today) and are doing an ammonia test now. It's coming up so dark I'm not sure what to do!! The Pleco's aren't doing well, but the rest of the fish (two Whiteclouds and another small fish) are untouched. We're about to try and remove a little more water, but I'm almost more concerned of the stress it's causing the fish. If anything, I hope they can make it till morning when I can get some more ammonia reducer.

We change the water (about a third of the tank) frequently; I believe the tank is twenty-five gallons (I know, it's too small).

Thank you for your help. I hope it works!

 

If the ammonia reading is that dark the stress from water changes is nothing compared to the stress of the high ammonia. Also vacuuming the substrate will help lower the ammonia. Pleco poo is notorious for contributing to a high ammonia reading.
They are really big waste producers so more frequent water and larger water changes along with substrate vacuuming should get you straightened out. At least 25% water changes once a week is the recommended water change schedule after you get the tank back into shape Hope that helps.
Carol

 

They are right, dead fish can't complain about water changing stress. If the tests are that horribly bad Dino and Carol are right, 50% a day then a set routine once it is stable again. So have you planned on a larger tank or how have you planned to deal with the overcrowding, if you don't mind us asking.

 

Update:

So here's the really odd thing. It's NOT ammonia. We've almost done an entire water change; the ammonia is okay. As I mentioned before, the other fish (who have proved themselves much more sensitive) are swimming about as if nothing's wrong.

I'm beginning to think that there is something in the water that only affects the Pleco's. What exactly, I have no idea.

Thank you for all your help in our time of need. All we can do now is wait and hope they can pull through okay.

I'll write another update tomorrow morning to let you know.

 

In answer to a question, we are trying to deal with the overcrowding issue. Unfortunately, it may result to giving up our Pleco's to a new home. We would very much like to put them in our pond (more our forte), but can't due to horrid winters...

 

Sorry to hear that about possibly giving them up.

 

I am too, but all I want is what's best for my fish. We've been raising fish for over ten years...the last thing I want to do is force any of them into an unhappy life.

But, we shall see. Maybe a new tank is in the future after all.

 

Update:
So here's the really odd thing. It's NOT ammonia. We've almost done an entire water change; the ammonia is okay.

So what was reading so dark it was off the scale? How long did you wait to test after the water change?

I'm beginning to think that there is something in the water that only affects the Pleco's. What exactly, I have no idea.

Could be something different the water company is putting in the water.
To check your water, set a cup of water out over night. Then test it for ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates. but be sure to wait over night for it to gas out or you won't get a true reading. The same is true of testing your aquarium water right after doing a water change.
You can also call your water Co. and ask for a water quality report. this report will contain all the chemicals they add to the water.
Our water Co is adding extra chloramines to the water because of all the dry weather, don't know if dry weather means more germs in the water or what. anyway. Chloramines are a combination of chlorine and ammonia which makes it harder to get rid of so I use a dechlor that neutralizes chloramines also.
Keep us posted
Carol