Odd Behavior From Pleco

HI all,

This is my first post in this forum! I was unable to find answers to this question elsewhere. I apologize beforehand for my lack of aquarium knowledge; I am a total beginner, and this is actually relating to my family's tank, so I am not entirely sure of chemistry levels or the general health of the aquarium. It's probably the obvious cause for what I am seeing, and should be checked, but I was simply curious if anyone else had experienced this before.

We have a pleco who is about 3-5 years old. For a while, I've always noticed him play dead with me (moving less, being in a weird position, etc), but he would always end up being okay. Tonight before bed, I took a look at the tank and found him on his side against the glass. His gills and mouth were completely still, and he was smushed against a plant rather than laying on the glass as he usually does. I was perfectly convinced that he had passed on. I didn't touch him, but I did observe his behavior for a good amount of time to ensure he was dead. He was not breathing at all. I returned to the tank five minutes later to see that he had moved and was perfectly fine. I was relieved, but how and why did he do this? How was it possible for him to apparently go without breathing for such a long duration of time? Could this mean he is experiencing health issues, or do they just do strange things like this sometimes?

 

hI and welcome to fishlore I'm not sure if he is sick or not but I do know they do sometimes do the strangest things just keep an eye on him.. It would be a big help to someone to help if you can find out some info on your tank size for starters ammonia/nitrites/nitrates/ and temp list of stock you have you have in tank..

 

While I can't say if this is "normal behavior" or not I can speak on the fact that my BN pleco has done this occasionally as well, except for that I saw him still breathing. About 2 weeks ago I found him laying on his side and was convinced he was a goner and then he sat up, swam around, landed on his beloved Amazon Sword leaf and has been perfectly fine ever since. According to my sister he had done that about 2-3 weeks prior while I was at work (nice of her to tell me then lol). Again.. no idea if this is normal but just wanted to let you know you're not crazy! I agree with above, see if you can get the tank parameters and if possible a photo the next time he does it so we can see.

 

The first time I saw Elbert (that's him over there in my avatar) laying flat on his back with just his head sicking out of his favorite hiding place I was really concerned. Soon he was up and around again. Plecos can do some strange things. That to me is what makes them so interesting.

 

The first time I saw Elbert (that's him over there in my avatar) laying flat on his back with just his head sicking out of his favorite hiding place I was really concerned. Soon he was up and around again. Plecos can do some strange things. That to me is what makes them so interesting.

if only they could talk! he was probably like lady I am just trying to get a nap in, stop starin at me LOL