Pleco Floating Upside Down?

So I got a common pleco a week ago and I’ve been worried about him not eating. He loves his driftwood but doesn’t touch the algae waffers? I thought I’d get him doing good on those before I started introducing new foods to his diet. I came in today and he was doing this? He was still breathing and when I touched him with a net he swam away and stuck to the tank like normal. Is this common or should I be worried?

 

Tank parameters? That doesn't look good.

 

It

Tank parameters? That doesn't look good.

Its only a 6.5 gal bc I took it from a friend who was gonna flush him. Trying to find a new home for him.

I’m goin

It

Its only a 6.5 gal bc I took it from a friend who was gonna flush him. Trying to find a new home for him.

g to the store tomorrow to buy a kit that will tell me all the water info and levels

 

I would suggest a large water change this evening.

That is definitely not normal pleco behavior.

I still have never figured out why people flush fish down the drain that are still alive.

 

I would suggest a large water change this evening.

That is definitely not normal pleco behavior.

I still have never figured out why people flush fish down the drain that are still alive.

Is there anything specific I should do when I change the water?

 

Is there anything specific I should do when I change the water?

Ensure you treat the water with something that removes chlorine. Also, try to match the temperature of the water.

 

Ensure you treat the water with something that removes chlorine. Also, try to match the temperature of the water.

Do you have a specific water conditioner? I use distiller water and tetra water conditioner.

 

Do you have a specific water conditioner? I use distiller water and tetra water conditioner.

Ah well that could be an issue. Do you use anything to recondition the water aside from tetra stuff? I personally use prime on regular tap water. If you're using distilled water that has no nutrients in it you have to reintoduce nutrients/minerals and adjust the ph of the water to a level you want it to be.

 

Ah well that could be an issue. Do you use anything to recondition the water aside from tetra stuff? I personally use prime on regular tap water. If you're using distilled water that has no nutrients in it you have to reintoduce nutrients/minerals and adjust the ph of the water to a level you want it to be.

I don’t but I’ll look tmrw when I buy the water testers. I put a halved pea in the water. He’s just listlessly swimming around and not really sucking into anything. He kinda just lays in the plants. I took out the driftwood bc that was introduced right around his issues. I really don’t know what’s going on bc the betta in the tank is having no issues

 

I'm sure another member can chime in since I don't use distilled water for my freshwater tanks....but fish absolutely need minerals in the water we give them. RO/distilled water has 0 KH or GH, hence the aquarium has no buffering ability and is subject to ph swings. I would use seachem equilibrium as it is designed to bring RO water back into optimal quality for freshwater fish.

 

HI - Plecos are lovely fish - good job for saving his life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing to keep in mind is that plecos are not algae eaters in the strict sense. Yes they also eat algae, but they also require veg (boiled peas, zucchini), wood (driftwood, roots) as well as some protein. I have had loads of plecos and one thing is for sure - one likes a zucchinI and other one peas. One likes dried food and another one algae tabs.

The best thing to do is try a number of different types of food. Mine mainly eat of the bottom of the tank, but I have seen some eating corydoras pellets and some swimming to the surface of the tank to eat flakes.

You should try a variety of foods - i.e. providing that the water conditions are ok.

 

My Percy (Pleco of the common variety but with serious attitude) frequently stands on his nose, attacks the moss balls whilst upside down, hangs off the thermometer, hangs off the glass upside down and generally acts like an idiot.....he loves to play dead too which can be a little unnerving.....I put it down to being a male cos males will always do everything the hard way

 

Do you have a specific water conditioner? I use distiller water and tetra water conditioner.

Is there a reason you're not using tap?

 

Is there a reason you're not using tap?

When you change the water-and i'd suggest a 75% water change-use tap water. Treat it with a dechlorinator. The fish store you bought those fish from us probably using the local tap water. Distilled water without minerals is bad for any fish.