Pleco Dying

I saw the photo. Can you tell if the skin is actually pealing off or if it is just white?

Back when I had my common pleco he really freaked me out one day when he started getting white patches all over his body. It wasn't long after a water change. As soon as he settled back down his color returned. I finally decided he wasn't happy with water changes because it happened again and again.

I read up on clown plecos. I saw that their temp range is between 73 to 82. It really is best not to keep them in the highest temp range. Before medicating, since you are not sure what kind of medication might help Please lower the temp.

This might be caused by his diet too. They are mainly veggie eaters but do need meat (protein) . You may want to consider adding shrimp pellets and even bloodworms for him. Some fresh veggies might help him too. I know my Elbert loves his raw zucchini.

Okay, I will lower his temperature as soon as I get home. It was white before, now looks like a sore? Like pinkish. I tried giving him zucchinI before, he ignored it, but I am going to try again. I will get him the shrimps too.

I'm certainly no pleco expert, but isn't this one of the species which requires or benefits from the inclusion of wood fibre from driftwood in the diet? I think I'd leave the wood in there.

And, it seems to my eye that he looks better in the more recent picture? Or is this wishful thinking?

Yes, they need it. I will put it back. And did u notice that too? His eyes look better, I thought I was seeing things Lol..his skin not tho. I know I sound so desperate, sorry, I just hate seeing my animals all sick and suffering.

 

Okay, I will lower his temperature as soon as I get home. It was white before, now looks like a sore? Like pinkish. I tried giving him zucchinI before, he ignored it, but I am going to try again. I will get him the shrimps too.

Bacteria grows faster in warmer water so if this is a bacterial problem lowering the temp should slow it down and fresh clean water could help him heal. I am still thinking stress related but could be wrong. Stress can be caused by lots of things and he has been through lots of things in a short period of time. In my humble opinion more fish have been lost due to stress than anything else. Stress leads to disease.

Sometimes it takes a while for them to learn that the zucchinI is actually food if they've never had it before. It takes patience and perseverance to get them to try it but once they do they love it.

Just cut off a slice and use something to weigh it down in the bottom of the tank. Put it where your little guy spends most of its time. Always put it in the same place. By putting it in there raw you can leave it for a couple of days. After that remove it and replace it with a fresh piece. It will take time for your little guy to get brave enough to taste it but once he does he should have no problem cleaning it right up.

 

Speaking of stress.... It should be noted that you shouldn't change the temperature quickly. At most change by a degree a day. The guy is already stressed, a rapid temperature change may be all it takes to make him quit.

We talked about the Brown Algae!!! Its food for the pleco and will balance out. Quit removing things from and adjusting your tank decor/substrate/filter media!! Don't touch it! haha.

 

Speaking of stress.... It should be noted that you shouldn't change the temperature quickly. At most change by a degree a day. The guy is already stressed, a rapid temperature change may be all it takes to make him quit.

We talked about the Brown Algae!!! Its food for the pleco and will balance out. Quit removing things from and adjusting your tank decor/substrate/filter media!! Don't touch it! haha.

Good catch about lowering the temp slowly. I would think just turning the heater down to maybe 76 would lower it slowly. The water should cool gradually enough to not shock this little guy. One definitely wouldn't want to lower it with cooler water though.

 

Speaking of stress.... It should be noted that you shouldn't change the temperature quickly. At most change by a degree a day. The guy is already stressed, a rapid temperature change may be all it takes to make him quit.

We talked about the Brown Algae!!! Its food for the pleco and will balance out. Quit removing things from and adjusting your tank decor/substrate/filter media!! Don't touch it! haha.

I know I won’t remove anything else, lesson learned. And I will lower the temperature little by little. Poor fishy. So stressful.

Good catch about lowering the temp slowly. I would think just turning the heater down to maybe 76 would lower it slowly. The water should cool gradually enough to not shock this little guy. One definitely wouldn't want to lower it with cooler water though.

Okay! I will lower it slowly.

 

I know I won’t remove anything else, lesson learned. And I will lower the temperature little by little. Poor fishy. So stressful.



Okay! I will lower it slowly.

Its all good.

You just have to chill out a little bit. While we have the best intentions when we just react to what we're seeing in our tank. However, its not always what's best for the tank or the fish. There is a lot of experience here. Let us help you through.

As for medication... a lot of them can have an affect on or deplete the beneficial bacteria in your filter. I would be absolutely sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is a disease (Fungal/Bacterial/Parasitic), before I would start medicating. Even then, I would probably still reconsider. For my rainbows I improved their diet, added cat ions, and changed the water more often. They're thriving.

 

How's your little guy doing?

 

How's your little guy doing?

Hi, thank you for asking! He is the same. Not moving from the same spot, not eating. His skin looks the same, falling off. I just finished doing the water change.

 

Did you test ammonia or nitrite in your water?

 

Did you test ammonia or nitrite in your water?

Yes, No ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. Ph is 6.5

 

Yes, No ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. Ph is 6.5

If ammonia and nitrite aren't present - No need to change the water
If the combined ammonia and nitrite numbers are less than 1ppm - dose prime (no need to change the water, but test again within 24 hours)
If the ammonia and nitrite numbers are greater than 1ppm - Water change and dose prime

 

If ammonia and nitrite aren't present - No need to change the water
If the combined ammonia and nitrite numbers are less than 1ppm - dose prime (no need to change the water, but test again within 24 hours)
If the ammonia and nitrite numbers are greater than 1ppm - Water change and dose prime

Okay, I will re check tomorrow!

 

Hi, thank you for asking! He is the same. Not moving from the same spot, not eating. His skin looks the same, falling off. I just finished doing the water change.
View attachment 543491 View attachment 543491

Poor little guy. He does look pretty sad right now. What is the temp of the tank today?

 

Poor little guy. He does look pretty sad right now. What is the temp of the tank today?

He does! It breaks my heart. I came home from work early just to do water change and check on him. The temperature right now is 78. I tried giving him zucchinI to see if he eats but doesn’t even want to move from the same spot.

 

He does! It breaks my heart. I came home from work early just to do water change and check on him. The temperature right now is 78. I tried giving him zucchinI to see if he eats but doesn’t even want to move from the same spot.

I am really hoping the cooler water will help him feel better. I am really at a loss as to what else you can do for him

Just leave the zucchinI in there. Replace it with a fresh piece every other day. By feeding it raw it won't foul up the water. Hopefully he will discover that it is actually food and if he will start eating maybe he will start doing better.

 

I am really hoping the cooler water will help him feel better. I am really at a loss as to what else you can do for him

Just leave the zucchinI in there. Replace it with a fresh piece every other day. By feeding it raw it won't foul up the water. Hopefully he will discover that it is actually food and if he will start eating maybe he will start doing better.

I will leave the zucchinI there and hopefully he eats some soon!! Thank you! You guys have been a huge help!

 

I have nothing helpful to add, but it really looks to me as if that is slightly improved over the last pic...at least the patch on his face seems slightly better. I'm not sure about the skin on his back on either side of the front of the dorsal fin; hard to tell in those pics.

 

I have nothing helpful to add, but it really looks to me as if that is slightly improved over the last pic...at least the patch on his face seems slightly better. I'm not sure about the skin on his back on either side of the front of the dorsal fin; hard to tell in those pics.

You really think so?? I wish he would move so I can take better pics. And trust me, it’s helpful for me if you think it looks better, I am very anxious lol

 

How's your pleco looking today? Did he eat any of the zucchini? I tried giving my guy cucumber before but he didnt take to it

 

How's your pleco looking today? Did he eat any of the zucchini? I tried giving my guy cucumber before but he didnt take to it

He still the same, not eating anything and not moving. He only went up and down this morning but that’s all. I just have to wait I guess.

 

Its hard to watch!!! I am very much type A and get anxiety over this stuff so I can relate! Hopefully he is just chilling, saving his strength and building up energy!
The waiting is by the far worst part!

We all want a miracle cure and quick fix but unfortunately its not always the case :/

 

Its hard to watch!!! I am very much type A and get anxiety over this stuff so I can relate! Hopefully he is just chilling, saving his strength and building up energy!
The waiting is by the far worst part!

We all want a miracle cure and quick fix but unfortunately its not always the case :/

I hope so!!! Fingers crossed.

 

I know you have been getting tons of good advise here and it is hard to make a decision on what to do.
From what I can see in the pics and from what the history of your tank (loss of cycle and ammonia spike) indicates is a bacterial infection called Hemorrhagic Septicemia, also known as Red Pest - which is caused an ammonia spike or poor water conditions. The symptoms are of dropsy (which is not in itself an illness, but the effect you see)
I have lost plecos in this way and never really understood why they were effected and other fish were not. One pleco survived by doing this:

1. isolate the fish in a separate tank. Keep the temp lower than normal to slow down bacterial growth.
2. add 1 teaspoon per 40 gallons of water epsom salts ( contains magnesium sulfate, unlike sodium chloride, which is found in regular aquarium salt.) This will draw out excess water in the fish which is causing the bloating
3. don't feed the fish with anything for a day so he gets hungry
4. add antibiotic to food - Maracyn Two. Best to soak literally one or two high protein flakes ( I used discus flakes as they are initially hard and then go soft in water) in the antibiotic just before feeding. I also soaked small pieces of algae tablets in it.Remove any uneaten food after 30 minutes to avoid rotting.
5. Partial water changes daily.
   

... and even this method doesn't work every time
I always preferred to try something than do nothing - hope this will inspire you somewhat and encourage you to keep trying

 

Could you please place a pic of the driftwood that is in your tank.

I think it is strange it isn't hiding on or under that but on plastic.
Also the thick belly could point towards a digestion problem cause by the lack of viber and died off intestial flora.
That (if it is that) could also be caused before you got it btw !

The nose looks more like a wound than a bacterial infecion to me.

Maybe missed it but did you try to feed bloodworms and stuff like that ?

 

I know you have been getting tons of good advise here and it is hard to make a decision on what to do.
From what I can see in the pics and from what the history of your tank (loss of cycle and ammonia spike) indicates is a bacterial infection called Hemorrhagic Septicemia, also known as Red Pest - which is caused an ammonia spike or poor water conditions. The symptoms are of dropsy (which is not in itself an illness, but the effect you see)
I have lost plecos in this way and never really understood why they were effected and other fish were not. One pleco survived by doing this:

1. isolate the fish in a separate tank. Keep the temp lower than normal to slow down bacterial growth.
2. add 1 teaspoon per 40 gallons of water epsom salts ( contains magnesium sulfate, unlike sodium chloride, which is found in regular aquarium salt.) This will draw out excess water in the fish which is causing the bloating
3. don't feed the fish with anything for a day so he gets hungry
4. add antibiotic to food - Maracyn Two. Best to soak literally one or two high protein flakes ( I used discus flakes as they are initially hard and then go soft in water) in the antibiotic just before feeding. I also soaked small pieces of algae tablets in it.Remove any uneaten food after 30 minutes to avoid rotting.
5. Partial water changes daily.

... and even this method doesn't work every time
I always preferred to try something than do nothing - hope this will inspire you somewhat and encourage you to keep trying

Hi!! He is getting worse! He is skin is falling off all over! . I read a out the epsom salt, but I also read that it was bad for plecos? Now I'm confused .
I have been testing the water everyday and it everything is 0. Ph 6.5. I am so stress out that he is suffering like in pain. I'm scared to move him to another tank because I don’t want to stress him more? He is the only one in the tank, can I do it in the same tank he is right now? I am going to read about hemorrhagic septicemia. I'm going to show you how he looks today.


Not sure if you can see.

Could you please place a pic of the driftwood that is in your tank.

I think it is strange it isn't hiding on or under that but on plastic.
Also the thick belly could point towards a digestion problem cause by the lack of viber and died off intestial flora.
That (if it is that) could also be caused before you got it btw !

The nose looks more like a wound than a bacterial infecion to me.

Maybe missed it but did you try to feed bloodworms and stuff like that ?

Hii! Yes, he actually always had the driftwood and never touched it for some reason he would just hide inside the hiding spot that I got for the betta. I have
a picture of the driftwood, I took it the day I added to the tank. You will probably see the pleco attached to it, but it was only once lol.
He just doesn’t want to eat! I tried veggies, peas. And he does not even move.

 

Well, it seems like my pleco is not getting any better. He is suffering. His skin is falling off, he has red patches all over, and part of his tail is gone. I am very upset that I just couldn’t help him. Not sure what to do next. I have been reading about euthanasia? But I am not sure I would be able to do something like that

 

Well, it seems like my pleco is not getting any better. He is suffering. His skin is falling off, he has red patches all over, and part of his tail is gone. I am very upset that I just couldn’t help him. Not sure what to do next. I have been reading about euthanasia? But I am not sure I would be able to do something like that

So sorry to hear he isn't doing better.

 

So sorry to hear he isn't doing better.

Thank you! I seriously thought he was going to get better.

 

Sadly it seems it might be time to let him go. I really wish we knew what is happening to this little guy and knew what to do to stop what is happening.

If he is still staying in the same spot and still isn't eating I can only imagine the suffering he is going through. I don't know that fish are anything like us but starving to death has to be one of the worst things that can happen to any living creature.

 

Sadly it seems it might be time to let him go. I really wish we knew what is happening to this little guy and knew what to do to stop what is happening.

If he is still staying in the same spot and still isn't eating I can only imagine the suffering he is going through. I don't know that fish are anything like us but starving to death has to be one of the worst things that can happen to any living creature.

He still in the same spot, not eating, skin is all gone on his little head, half of tail is gone. I am not sure what to do anymore. Have you ever euthanized a fish? Should I try the clove oil? I'm very upset, so I will have to ask someone else to do it for me.

 

He still in the same spot, not eating, skin is all gone on his little head, half of tail is gone. I am not sure what to do anymore. Have you ever euthanized a fish? Should I try the clove oil? I'm very upset, so I will have to ask someone else to do it for me.

I truly am sorry that it has come down to this but it is part of our duty when we take on the job of bringing pets into our home. We take on the responsibility of keeping them healthy as long a possible and then ending their suffering when the time comes. I have had to make the heartbreaking decision more than once through the years with dogs, cats and yes, even fish.

I have had to put down a few fish but only very little ones. I am sure lots of folks would think my way is cruel but it is instant.

I know a lot of folks do use clove oil. I tried it one time but never again. Maybe the fish doesn't feel anything but what if it does. We can't know for sure. On top of that I can't handle the smell. I quickly pulled the fish out and did the job my quick way but the odor of clove oil still lingered for several hours afterwards.

For anyone really faint of heart you may not want to read the rest of this....

If you could get someone to do it for you the quickest way is to smash its head. Instant death. If it ever comes to having to do it for Elbert, my BN I would have to have my husband do it for me. I am way too attached to him to do it myself.

 

I truly am sorry that it has come down to this but it is part of our duty when we take on the job of bringing pets into our home. We take on the responsibility of keeping them healthy as long a possible and then ending their suffering when the time comes. I have had to make the heartbreaking decision more than once through the years with dogs, cats and yes, even fish.

I have had to put down a few fish but only very little ones. I am sure lots of folks would think my way is cruel but it is instant.

I know a lot of folks do use clove oil. I tried it one time but never again. Maybe the fish doesn't feel anything but what if it does. We can't know for sure. On top of that I can't handle the smell. I quickly pulled the fish out and did the job my quick way but the odor of clove oil still lingered for several hours afterwards.

For anyone really faint of heart you may not want to read the rest of this....

If you could get someone to do it for you the quickest way is to smash its head. Instant death. If it ever comes to having to do it for Elbert, my BN I would have to have my husband do it for me. I am way too attached to him to do it myself.

it’s very heartbreaking. I will ask my fiancé to do it. I can’t do it. Thank you so much!

 

it’s very heartbreaking. I will ask my fiancé to do it. I can’t do it. Thank you so much!

You are so very welcome. I am glad you have someone that can do it for you. Have him wrap it in some paper towels before actually doing it but do it quickly. I don't know for sure but think they start panicking when removed from the water so the quicker it can be done the better it will be for him.