Urgent!! Pleco Color Fading And Red Fin Tips

Help! My pleco used to be spotted like a leopard with vibrant black spots. Now it is super faded and looks like his fins have red tips. And he pooped A LOT today, I put in a picture of it just in case that changes anything. (I removed the poop afterwards) Should I remove him from my community tank? Is this dangerous for him? Is this dangerous for my other fish?? The first picture is him before and the rest are him after.





I took him out of the tank just in case.

Is anybody here?? jdhef Goldiemom Coradee ystrout

 

How big is your tank?? Is it cycled? Did this happen quickly or over a period of time?? What do you feed him?

 

How big is your tank?? Is it cycled? Did this happen quickly or over a period of time?? What do you feed him?

The tank is cycled, it’s a 20 gal, but I moved him to a 1 gal when I noticed it an hour ago, and it happened within 8 hours. When I went to school, he was normal, and when I got back, he was like this.

 

The tank is cycled, it’s a 20 gal, but I moved him to a 1 gal when I noticed it an hour ago, and it happened within 8 hours. When I went to school, he was normal, and when I got back, he was like this.

Did anything change in the tank?do you know your exact parameters? He does look rather stressed!!

 

Did anything change in the tank?do you know your exact parameters? He does look rather stressed!!

Nothing changed, but I put in an ammonia removing thing in my filter yesterday. He was fine until today. He’s done this a few times but it has never been this bad and it has gone away in minutes.

May I also say that he didn’t have the red tips on his fins before.

 

Does he have any tank mates in the 20g? If he does, how are they doing? All acting normally?

 

Nothing changed, but I put in an ammonia removing thing in my filter yesterday. He was fine until today. He’s done this a few times but it has never been this bad and it has gone away in minutes.

Hmm.. and what are your tanks parameters?? Does he have lots of hiding places?
Edit I have to go offline for a hour or two!! I will try to check back in when I am finished with my evening work!! Good luck!!

 

Hmm.. and what are your tanks parameters?? Does he have lots of hiding places?

I don’t know the parameters, band he has a couple hiding spots but he never uses them.

Does he have any tank mates in the 20g? If he does, how are they doing? All acting normally?

Yeah, he has tank mates. They are all acting like their normal, hyperactive selves.

 

How long have you had him? Could be he was in a much darker colored tank and he’s just adjusting to your lighter colored gravel. Is it’s eat and acting like it allways has or is his routine also off?

 

How long have you had him? Could be he was in a much darker colored tank and he’s just adjusting to your lighter colored gravel. Is it’s eat and acting like it allways has or is his routine also off?

I’ve had him for about two months. He’s been in the same tank the whole time

Oh and you guys have asked, he eats the leftover food. He’s been fine with it for two months

Hmm.. and what are your tanks parameters?? Does he have lots of hiding places?
Edit I have to go offline for a hour or two!! I will try to check back in when I am finished with my evening work!! Good luck!!

Ok thanks

Omg what is happening??? He still looks the same! If not worse!


Smalltownfishfriend

 

I don't know who all can help, but Goldiemom DoubleDutch
Also, why is he in a 1 gallon? I'd be doing 2-3 daily 50% water changes on that

 

I don't know who all can help, but Goldiemom DoubleDutch
Also, why is he in a 1 gallon? I'd be doing 2-3 daily 50% water changes on that

He was in my 20 gal community tank, but today I put him on the 1 gal in case it would spread to my other fish if it’s a sickness. Can I put him back in the community tank or should I wait for the people you called to answer?

 

I am confused.. not sure why he is acting that way, however I would definitely feed him more than just the leftovers from the tank... He seems like could be stressed but I don't know..

 

Honestly I don't know sorry, I've never kept plecos. It does seem like he has some sort of major stress, has there been any temperature fluctuations or vibrations?

 

Honestly I don't know sorry, I've never kept plecos. It does seem like he has some sort of major stress, has there been any temperature fluctuations or vibrations?

Hmmmmmm we are in a heat wave and temps in the 100s but we keep the temp in the house the same. Could that be it?

 

I'm looking at the pic of him from the side and he looks at least partially starved... How much food exactly has he been getting? They do need a lot, you know. Also, mine change colour like that regularly, usually compared to what its sitting on. I freaked out when my albino got red markings but that was just him becoming mature.
The belly should never be sunken like that. You need to feed him sinking algae wafers every day or two. Leftover fish food alone is nowhere near enough. Try putting some dark substrate in and see if his colour changes back to normal, and maybe add a little epsom salt for that fins, they may have been nipped by your other fish. Gravel can also be hard for them to eat out of, maybe do what I do and get a small plate or large flat ornament for the food to collect on.

 

Hmmmmmm we are in a heat wave and temps in the 100s but we keep the temp in the house the same. Could that be it?

Do you know the actual temps of the tanks? That could definitely be it, and a 1 gallon tank will have wildly fluctuating temperatures

 

I'm looking at the pic of him from the side and he looks at least partially starved... How much food exactly has he been getting? They do need a lot, you know. Also, mine change colour like that regularly, usually compared to what its sitting on. I freaked out when my albino got red markings but that was just him becoming mature.
The belly should never be sunken like that. You need to feed him sinking algae wafers every day or two. Leftover fish food alone is nowhere near enough. Try putting some dark substrate in and see if his colour changes back to normal, and maybe add a little epsom salt for that fins, they may have been nipped by your other fish. Gravel can also be hard for them to eat out of, maybe do what I do and get a small plate or large flat ornament for the food to collect on.

Where can I get sinking algae wafers? Amazon? Omg I feel so bad for it. I didn’t know that! I feel so guilty. If I get them off amazon, will he live to wait for them?

 

Finally here, sorry. Is he a bristle nose pleco? He looks bad. First, he is starving. They are not scavenger fish as many believe. He has to be fed his own food daily, preferably at night when you turn off the lights. He will eat algae wafers which you can get at Walmart or Lfs, cucumbers, zucchinI Squash ( boiled a little and sliced.). Mine loves cucumbers and the algae wafers. Poor guy. Get him some food ASAP and then back in his tank ASAP. You absolutely need an API test kit you. I mean no offense, but I can’t understand how people expect to have healthy fish when they don’t know their water parameters. I realize there’s a lot to learn in raising fish though. Also, placo’s don’t like real warm water. About 70 or 72F is good for them. Keep us posted. Good luck!

 

He'll probably live if they come within a week. If you have any sinking fish food in the meantime, he'll probably munch on that. You can get them on Amazon and at pet stores.

My fully grown bristlenose eat 2 algae wafers each every day or so, but mine also get things like tetra colour tropical crumbles and protein pellets since they eat the corydoris catfish's food too.

 

Also, he is incredibly stressed. Get some Seachem Prime to treat the water in case ammonia is high.

 

Finally here, sorry. Is he a bristle nose pleco? He looks bad. First, he is starving. They are not scavenger fish as many believe. He has to be fed his own food daily, preferably at night when you turn off the lights. He will eat algae wafers which you can get at Walmart or Lfs, cucumbers, zucchinI Squash ( boiled a little and sliced.). Mine loves cucumbers and the algae wafers. Poor guy. Get him some food ASAP and then back in his tank ASAP. You absolutely need an API test kit you. I mean no offense, but I can’t understand how people expect to have healthy fish when they don’t know their water parameters. I realize there’s a lot to learn in raising fish though. Also, placo’s don’t like real warm water. About 70 or 72F is good for them. Keep us posted. Good luck!

Thank you! I will try to get algae wafers from amazon, is two day shipping fast enough? I will also try to get an API test kit. Thank you so much!

 

Any type of veggies will work! Just blanch them a little!! Does he have driftwood??

 

Any type of veggies will work! Just blanch them a little!! Does he have driftwood??

No driftwood, and what’s blanching? Can I feed peas? That’s all I have right now. And how can I feed him if he never comes up to eat? Help!

 

Where can I get sinking algae wafers? Amazon? Omg I feel so bad for it. I didn’t know that! I feel so guilty. If I get them off amazon, will he live to wait for them?

I wouldn’t wait. Go to Walmart. Also get him some zucchini. Slice it, boil it a minute in a little tank water in microwave. You can put a fork through it to hold it on the bottom of the tank. Get some Garlic Guard to build his immunity up. You can buy it online. Also, he has to have driftwood to eat in order to digest his food. You can by a mopanI stick cheap for now at Lfs.

No driftwood, and what’s blanching? Can I feed peas? That’s all I have right now. And how can I feed him if he never comes up to eat? Help!

Peas will work! Just put them in a little coffe cup with a bit of dechlorinated water. Boil them 1 minute in microwave. Peel them and feed him now, please!

 

I wouldn’t wait. Go to Walmart. Also get him some zucchini. Slice it, boil it a minute in a little tank water in microwave. You can put a fork through it to hold it on the bottom of the tank. Get some Garlic Guard to build his immunity up. You can buy it online. Also, he has to have driftwood to eat in order to digest his food. You can by a mopanI stick cheap for now at Lfs.

Ok, thanks. I will try my absolute best now to make sure that he has the best and longest life possible. My mom said she’ll get some zucchinI after work tomorrow, is that fast enough? I’ll order driftwood ff amazon, I have two day shipping. And I’ll ask for a mopanI stick. I may just get him his own tank.

 

Thank you! I will try to get algae wafers from amazon, is two day shipping fast enough? I will also try to get an API test kit. Thank you so much!

Get some driftwood too. He has to have it for digestion.

 

Peas will work! Just put them in a little coffe cup with a bit of dechlorinated water. Boil them 1 minute in microwave. Peel them and feed him now, please!

Okay. Doing that right now.

Get some driftwood too. He has to have it for digestion.

Alright. Thanks so much again for your help. You are so appreciated, and I know my pleco would thank you if he could. I’m going to go feed him now, wish me luck!

 

I know you’ll take good care of him. If he can hold on, I think you’ll se a big g change in him pretty quickly. Keep us posted. Praying!

Oops, I said mopanI wood but cholla sticks is what I meant. Cheap! MopanI wood is great but more expensive.

 

Oops, I said mopanI wood but cholla sticks is what I meant. Cheap! MopanI wood is great but more expensive.

He won’t eat it. What do I do?

 

Thanks Goldiemom for stepping in!!! I appreciate your help!! I didn't notice his sunken belly, only his stressed look!!! I am so glad you have been able to help, and I hope your pleco gets better Betty!!!

 

Thanks Goldiemom for stepping in!!! I appreciate your help!! I didn't notice his sunken belly, only his stressed look!!! I am so glad you have been able to help, and I hope your pleco gets better Betty!!!

Ugh now he won’t eat it! What do I do?

Like he won’t come to the surface to eat it, he just doesn’t care

Ok I made a separate thread. Thanks guys so much! I fed my other fish some peas too so most of the fish benefitted.

 

He won’t eat it. What do I do?

Turn the lights off and leave him alone. Pleco are nocturnal and like to eat at night with no one around.

Like he won’t come to the surface to eat it, he just doesn’t care

My pleco’s never come to the surface. In fact, they hide most of the day and come out at night. They’re bottom feeders. Occasionally I will see them during the day.

 

My pleco’s never come to the surface. In fact, they hide most of the day and come out at night. They’re bottom feeders. Occasionally I will see them during the day.

Ok. Again, thank you so much.

 

If I get them off amazon, will he live to wait for them?

There are some things you can get for him while you wait if you order food online. Like Goldiemom said:

He will eat which you can get at Walmart or Lfs, cucumbers, zucchinI Squash ( boiled a little and sliced.).

...or check out this thread:
Pleco Vegetables

You should be able to find something local to feed now while waiting.

 

Only small detail is it isn't a BN.
I am not an expert in these species but I think it is one that would outgrow the tank quite easy and might need another diet.

Think this one is on his way out

The red fintips I suspect to be the natural coloring

 

Ok, so he’s still the same coloring, but the red fin tips went away. He ate the peas overnight, so I’m going to put him back in the tank.

 

Only small detail is it isn't a BN.
I am not an expert in these species but I think it is one that would outgrow the tank quite easy and might need another diet.

Just suggestions for immediate sources of food that OP might have if the pea wasn't palatable to the lil guy

ate the peas overnight

Yay!!

 

Great help here!! Yes it’s a common pleco that will get to be over a foot long!! Now please don’t over feed. Feed at night add driftwood. But your best move once he’s healthy is to plan for a bigger tank (may take 2 yr before he needs it) like a 75 or 125. Or return him while he’s small.

 

Just suggestions for immediate sources of food that OP might have if the pea wasn't palatable to the lil guy



Yay!!

I meand to say that depending on the species (not being a BN) it might need a more meaty diet to stay healthy.