Pleco not liking new tank? Sick?

So I have a new pleco(common) and he was swimming around happily all day and eating and seemed great. He has since gone behind my HOB amd is just floating back there. If I I stir water toward him lightly he lights up for a bit. Now he is just floating at the top. Ill have to check my parameters with a master test kit. I used the sticks (I know they suck). He might die, but he was fine all day..



Update: he does this, but then when flowing water touches him he wakes up and swims around for a bit before returning to this

 

I'm not sure why he's floating. He definitely shouldn't be. My pleco likes to hide behind the filter but is stuck to the side and he'll lay on the bottom when resting. The only time he's up top is upside down skimming the surface. I'd guess maybe he's stressed and having a problem with his swim bladder. Try a cooked pea. It helps many fish with a swim bladder problem. Keep us updated!

 

He could be getting adjusted but what size tank is this? Can you post your current water parameters to rule out any water quality issues?

 

lisonIs his mouth attached to the filter? or is his whole body floating free? How did you acclimate him to the tank? Is the tank a new one or is it cycled? Alison...Welcome to the forum and glad you joined us.

 

I got one of those master test kits because I think my test strip was lying to me.. It might be ammonia came out to .50ppm and it wasn't dark enough to be 1.0 but it was darker side .50, I don't think it is cycled yet. I tried using tetra safe start and it has you add 1 fish after a few days to activate ammonia.. but I think this is a fail.. he jsut swam all over when I added flakes to see if that's what he wanted but now hes floating in a corner again

 

No, it's not cycled. What are your other parameters - nitrite, nitrate, ph? What size tank and what other fish do you have?

I'd do at least a 50% water change to get that ammonia down. Tetra SafeStart Plus can successfully cycle a tank provided you used it 24hrs after using a water conditioner with 1-2 small fish per 10 gallon with no water changes for 2 weeks.

 

No, it's not cycled. What are your other parameters - nitrite, nitrate, ph? What size tank and what other fish do you have?

I'd do at least a 50% water change to get that ammonia down. Tetra SafeStart Plus can successfully cycle a tank provided you used it 24hrs after using a water conditioner with 1-2 small fish per 10 gallon with no water changes for 2 weeks.

It was used 24 hes after conditioner, and I added the young pleco to my 20 long to help cycle they are hardy

 

You do realize they get about 18" long? Their bioload would be too much to cycle with so I would rehome him and get a fish more appropriate for your tank size.

 

I am growing him to trade in. I already know this info.. I am upscaled in filtration and he isn't my first. I have another tank I just am booting up a second. I trade it in at 4-5 inches for a baby. My lfs sells the big ones to big tank owners.


Update: he is swimming freely now.. I may transfer him to the established tank tonight

 

Why keep a fish you would have to trade in eventually? And they're not a good fish to cycle with due to their bioload as previously mentioned. His growth would be stunted in a tank that size as well.

 

Why keep a fish you would have to trade in eventually? And they're not a good fish to cycle with due to their bioload as previously mentioned. His growth would be stunted in a tank that size as well.

Its a 20 long. Its fine to raise one at a time at a young age. They haven't stunted in my classic half octagon 25 when I have done it. 1 at a time and then I repeat. They get a better home and I raise another baby that's in an overcrowded 10 gallon at the store. Ny brother is working on his 100 gal soon so it will make the process better. I haven't cycled a tank in a few years. The other tank came out fine. I clearly rushed this one due to relying on strips.. I have a master kit now so I can keep up with it. I have had 4 plecos and I have never seen this behavior.. They are all 12 inches plus in some other hobbyists giant tank. I posted this to figure out what is this symptom? Flake food got his attention and hes normal now.. Temp is fine. Ammonia is high but its mid cycle still. Ill gather the other water specs tomorrow after work.

lisonIs his mouth attached to the filter? or is his whole body floating free? How did you acclimate him to the tank? Is the tank a new one or is it cycled? Alison...Welcome to the forum and glad you joined us.

He WAS stuck to it and then kind of just free form floated for a while. he has since swam around the tank since I added flake food. he nibbled a pleco tablet a bit too. now has is suctioned to the top of the tank with his nose out of the water just sitting there. He only seemed to float when he was out of the current of the tank behind the filter. I don't think he has ever had current in his life... I'm running a 30 gal filter that's 200gph. keeps the 20 long tank water moving in a steady current. My past plecos didnt mind the current in my tall tank and it was from a 50 gal filter of the same aqueon make.

 

He might have been eating the biofilm off of the filter. There is lots of good stuff on there and a lot of plecos seem to like give it a clean. The fact that he is eating is a good sign . How is he doing? ..Alison

 

He is suctioned near the top corner by the off heater. His fins all opened up now .

 

Looks like he is feeling more relaxed and comfy. Alison

 

My cat has discovered the tank.. I'm hoping she doesn't climb on top of this one. My other one is still at a family members. Anyhow- he was looking happy this morning. I will be home for lunch soon so I am hoping he is in same or better condition. He has what's left of his wafer and some fish flake to feed on. Lights off, and he is ignoring the cats advances so fingers crossed!

 

Update: the poor guy is dead.. Tetra safe start says no dechlorinator may be added. How can I do a water change due to a dead fish having been in the water? Or will that have added the required ammonia to start the cycle right?

 

You need a constant source of ammonia. If he was the only fish in the tank and you're unable to add a fish today, I would just start over with a large water change today and a new bottle of TSS+ tomorrow with fish. And this time, choose a fish more appropriate for the tank size.

 

It will die from the high ammonia won't it?

 

What's the ammonia at?

 

What's the ammonia at?

Last night 1.0. Ill test all after work. No nitrates yet so either ammonia or nitrites.. Plenty of oxygen as my pump makes a decent circular current and disturbs the surface

 

Moving this to a new thread as the initial problem with the pleco has ended tank cycling thread now open