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| Behavior FAQs on Loricariids, South and
Central American Suckermouth Cats
Related Articles: Loricariids,
Otocinclus, From
Pan-ack-ay to Pan-ack-zee, A Detailed Look at the Bizarre But Beautiful
Panaque Catfishes by Neale Monks
Related Catfish FAQs: Loricariids
1,
Loricariids 2,
Otocinclus, Loricariid
Identification, Loricariid Compatibility,
Loricariid Selection,
Loricariid Systems,
Loricariid Feeding,
Loricariid Reproduction,
Loricariid Disease, Catfish:
Identification,
Behavior,
Compatibility,
Selection,
Systems,
Feeding, Disease,
Reproduction, Algae
Eaters,
About all they do...
Loricaria profile. |
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Pleco question, sys., growth/beh.
8/5/09
My Plecos (standard black BIG ones--LFS) only seem to live about 3-5
years.
<Should live much, much longer.>
I've read their life expectancy is over 10 years, and I don't want to do
the wrong things.
<Ten years is barely middle aged for these catfish! Under good
conditions they routinely live for more than 20 years, and exceptional
specimens have been reported as living for around 30 years.>
Does something happen to them that they need something different at that
age...
<As they grow, they demand more in terms of filtration, swimming space
and oxygen availability, and all those factors can come together to
cause problems for the less accommodating aquarist.>
I seem to remember reading that there are fish that develop the need for
brackish water at maturity but can't seem to find anything to prove or
disprove this theory...
<No, they don't need brackish water. While it is true that some
Hypostomus species live in slightly brackish water in the wild, and
feral Pterygoplichthys in Florida have colonised slightly brackish water
canals
and ponds successfully, none of the Loricariidae actually needs brackish
water. Your "big black Plec" is presumably Pterygoplichthys pardalis or
something similar; these fish naturally inhabits freshwater habitats in
South America and do not need salty water.>
Currently I have one Pleco, small/young/6 months, in a 55 gallon with 4
Balas (I purchased a 100 gallon tank currently being cycled etc for when
they out grown the 55 gallon....) 1 convict, 5 blackstriped minnows, and
4 rainbow darters. The Pleco lives in the castle during the daytime. I
took a piece of pvc pipe and rock covered it for my last Pleco--he was
about 12", and I want this guy to inherit it and live in it a long
time....hence why I am asking you for help.
<One problem is the 55 gallon tank. It's simply too small for adult
Pterygoplichthys. (Oh, by the way, this is pronounced "Terry Gopp Lick
This".) Your 100 gallon system is much closer to the mark. Water
turnover
will have to be substantial, and I'd be aiming for something like 8 to
10 times the volume of the tank in turnover per hour. So, for a 100
gallon system, you'd need filters (likely plural) that together offer a
turnover
off 8 x 100 = 800 gallons per hour, minimum. That's about equivalent to
four Eheim 2017 canister filters (each rated at about 260 gallons per
hour). Sounds a lot I know, but these catfish produce huge amounts of
waste, and without massive filtration, water quality and oxygen
availability will drop. Don't clutter the tank up too much since that
will cause debris to accumulate in corners and under rocks, but instead
use a
few large rocks and flower pots that can be easily cleaned around, or
removed for cleaning, if need be. Do also review things like diet and
water temperature. For these catfish, the diet should contain both plant
and
animal foods. Zucchini, melon rinds, spinach, cooked peas, Sushi Nori
and cucumber all fit the bill on the greens front; for meaty foods look
at frozen lancefish and mussels as good sources of protein. Wood seems
to consumed, perhaps as a source of fibre, so there should be at least a
small piece of bogwood available for these fish to chew on. Keep the
temperature at a low to middling level, around 22-25 C/72-77 F. When the
water gets too hot, metabolism speeds up while oxygen concentration in
the water drops.>
What am I doing wrong? Thank you.
Kimmie
<Hope this helps. Cheers, Neale.>
Re: Pleco question 8/5/09
Ok then! That should solve the mystery/problem.
<Glad to hear it!>
I now know who will be migrating to the BIG tank!
<Very good.>
Thanks! As you say our critters are dependant on us. 5 big fish in a 100
gallon tank. Could I add some colorful tropicals with that mix (4 Balas
and one Pleco).
<With big Plecs, good choices including Rainbowfish (lots of bright
colours), Swordtails, Xenotoca eiseni, Congo Tetras and Bleeding Heart
Tetras. Kept in groups, these fish would provide colour and activity.
Indeed, a school of 20 Rainbowfish, for example Melanotaenia boesemanni
or Glossolepis incisus, would be hard to beat. If you opt for Rainbows,
remember to get *equal* numbers of males and females, or you'll not get
the full colours. Lots of people think just getting males is best;
they're wrong!>
All I seem to acquire are grey fish, and it would be nice to have some
color... I was thinking some swords or something that size etc
<Swords are good, and enjoy the fast-flowing, somewhat cool conditions
Plecs enjoy.>
PS thanks for the very quick response!
Kimmie
<Happy to help. Cheers, Neale.>
Re: Pleco question 8/5/09
Thanks Neale!!! You have been a huge help. Suggestions I wouldn't have
thought of!
Kimmie
<Glad to have given you some ideas. Enjoy your Plec! Cheers, Neale.>
Skittish Pl*co and Feeding
Fry, reading 5/12/09
Hey guys! Me again.
<Oh?>
First of all, thanks for the help with my convicts; they are doing fine,
and the eggs are noticeably brown now. I am hoping for fry by tomorrow!
Anyways, I have a couple new questions.
First, my pl*co: He's becoming very skittish now. There was a time when
he was very aggressive, latching onto one of my gouramis, but not the
other; ever since the picked on Gourami died (of unrelated causes; the
pl*co left him along for the last few months of his life) the pl*co has
been peaceful.
He even made progress towards being more of a day fish; for the last few
weeks, he was more active during the day. But now he's regressing,
becoming skittish whenever I go to check on him. An worse: He's
developing a few bite marks on his dorsal fin and tail.
<From?>
At least I think that they are bite marks; there are no color changes,
just missing pieces, and a few at that. I probably shouldn't worry, but
I do anyways. I don't know why this would happen; I've never seen him
attacked during the day. My one guess is that he strayed too close to
the Convict cave, and was bit;
<Very likely>
but the missing pieces are too big for a tiny Convict,
<More than one bite>
so I don't know. In fact, no fish in the tank is really big enough to
take a bite that big at once. What do you
think happened, and what should I do? Is this normal? (The rays are just
fine, and aside from some skittishness, he seems happy enough.)
<Stay observant and no, not natural>
On a happier note, how should I get the food to my Convict fry when they
hatch?
<Read... on WWM re their reproduction, that of other Neotropical
Cichlids... http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwlvstkind2.htm>
I've read to take a plastic bag with a small hole, fill it with
ground-up fish food, and squeeze some out when near the fry. Is this
right?
<Nope>
And won't the parents be annoyed?
Thanks again, and eagerly waiting for an answer;
~Babale.
<Keep reading. Bob Fenner>
Loricariid aggression 1/4/08
Hello
WWM Crew,
This is the first time I've written to the fresh side of your
website. I have a 150 freshwater tank that has been established for over three
years, and up until this point I have had a few minor occurrences happen to this
tank but nothing too serious. The livestock that is in this tank include 7
Severums (five green, 2 gold) 2 rope/reed fish, 2 blue Acaras, 1 port Acara, 1
very large Fire eel (18 inches), three Plecos 1common, 1 L-113, and one king
tiger Pleco, and some trap door snails. Up until about three weeks ago
everything had been going just fine until I woke up one morning to find my
common Pleco swimming upside down, running into things etc. the first thing that
occurred to me was he had been fighting with the L-113 (note, both of these fish
are well over the 1 foot range) as they sometimes do The L-113 usually winning
out (these "fights" are usually nothing more than minor scuffles). After about a
day, my common Pleco settled into a spot by a sunken log (upside down).We tried
to turn him over but it just seemed to upset him, so we left him alone. That's
when a curious thing happened, the larger L-113 Pleco shortly there after wedged
himself under a different log, and has remained there since. We have not seen
our king tiger Pleco, but that's nothing unusual since their are plenty of
places to hide and he is a bit shy. It has been three weeks ago and I am
starting to get very concerned. neither one of them has moved from their "spot".
They are still breathing because I can see their gills moving. As far as eating
I have not seen either one of them move when I feed the rest of the troops, when
they are usually very active when food has been added to the tank. My water
parameters have been within the norm. temp is good pH is good no nitrites or
ammonia are present. I am at somewhat of a loss as to what's going on, or what
to do for that matter. Do Pleco's hibernate? Help!
Thanks,
Steve
<Large Loricariid catfish are NOT good at sharing. Territoriality
between specimens and between species can be pronounced, and several species
have been reported to kill weaker tankmates. Large Panaque catfish for example
will kill rasp the skin from other Loricariid catfish they deem to be
"squatters" in their caves, reducing the victim to a bloody pulp. Large Panaque
will do this too each other too, which is one reason they aren't bred in
captivity, so far as I know; do read Ginny Eckstein's piece over at Fish Channel
for some idea of the scale of carnage we're taking about.
http://www.fishchannel.com/media/freshwater-aquariums/species-info/catfish/royal-and-blue-eyed-plecos.aspx.pdf
Similar reports have been noted for Acanthicus and Pterygoplichthys. To quote
Planet Catfish, a single male Acanthicus "can easily be the most dominant fish
in a 1000 gallon aquarium". Oddly, many species live in schools in the wild, but
since most (male) Loricariids guard their eggs and fry it is entirely possible
that this aggressive behaviour would be related to reproduction in the wild. In
any case, the bottom line is that few of the big species mix well unless so
overcrowded that they cannot establish territories. This is how they are kept at
your retailer, for example, and in itself causes problems with water quality and
doesn't entirely eliminate the problem of skirmishes between specimens. When
kept in twos and threes in home-sized aquaria, collections of large Loricariids
can be distinctly unpredictable. The bottom line is that your fish may simply be
at the age and disposition where they won't get along. While you could add a
bunch more caves and hope for the best, my gut feeling is that it is now time to
decide which one you want to keep, and rehome the other specimens. Cheers,
Neale.>
Pleco Bloat or Preggers 9/18/09
Hi,
I was just looking at my Pleco (standard) who is about 4" long from nose to
tail, a yellow and black striped Pleco (meat eater kind) that is about 3 1/2"
and 2 Bushynose who are around 1 1/2". FYI. It is a planted discus tank with a
giant apple snail, a few tetras and several discus. It is a 150 gallon. I
noticed last week that the Pleco seemed a little chubby, but there is a lot of
algae to be eaten, so I gave it no thought until today after dinner it was SO
fat that it couldn't barely lay flat against the glass and there was a clear
round thing coming out of its rear. It is perfectly clear like glass with a
little red dot in it. I have pictures if you want, but I figured you may know
what it is.
Thanks
Carrie :)
<Hello Carrie. The standard Plec is Pterygoplichthys pardalis, or some very
similar species, a fish that gets to about 45 cm/18" when full grown. So I'm
glad you have it in such a big tank! They are generally extremely robust and
don't normally get sick when kept in big, clean tanks. Now, like most herbivores
they are capable of consuming a lot of food and will look very plump. Providing
they don't stay plump indefinitely, this isn't a problem. Cut back on the food
for a while and see how things go. In fact with Plecs generally skinniness is
the thing to be most cautious about. Being egg-laying fish, they don't become
pregnant. The anus does indeed end with a small, nipple-like structure, and
under some circumstances it can be visible when the fish is pressed against the
glass. This is not normally a problem; the only things to be wary of are
Camallanus worms, but these will be very obvious wiggling, red, thread-like
animals protruding from the anus. Cheers, Neale.>
Re: Pleco Bloat or Preggers 9/18/08
HI,
The Pleco was dead this morning. :(
<Oh dear! Just goes to show that doing a diagnosis without a photo isn't
completely reliable. In any event, your job now is to understand why the fish
died. Do check water chemistry and water quality. Also look at the cleanliness
of the substrate. What aquarists called Dropsy, technically oedema, appears when
organ failure occurs. Realistically, cures are very difficult to effect because
the damage has already been done. This is why you need to try and establish what
factor in your tank wasn't precisely right. Cheers, Neale.>
Re: Pleco Bloat or Preggers 9/19/08
HI,
I do water changes of 20 to 40% every couple of weeks.
<Less than I'd recommend for such messy fish, but if your nitrate levels stay
low enough for Discus, no big deal.>
All the other Plecos I had were fine. Just a fluke I guess.
<Maybe. But do remain open-minded and critical. Observe the other fish, and
consider the possibilities. Cheers, Neale.>
Pleco problems 5/20/07
Dear Crew,
<Hello!>
It is so good to be able to write to experts.
<Sorry, the experts are all out right now, so you'll have to talk to me
instead.>
I have a Pleco, named Plotya, whom I love very much.
<Very good.>
He started having a hard time navigating. Something makes him float up to
the surface and he turns belly up and gulps.
<Sounds like water quality issues. When Plecs are in polluted water, they
breathe air. It helps them survive in ponds during the summer.>
For three weeks he had one red-tinted side fin and a couple of red spots
that looked like tiny wounds on his belly. The spots stayed throughout these
weeks but the redness on the fin came and went. Now he looks entirely normal
and it seems that everything has cleared on its own.
<Which is good.>
I changed his diet when I saw the red spots. I added shrimp pellets to his
usual half wafer of algae to make him stronger. Last night I was not at home
to feed him but I gave him more shrimp pellets before I left in the morning
and then I fed him more pellets this afternoon.
<All good, but take care not to overfeed. These catfish need mostly
vegetables in their diet. 90% vegetables, 10% protein. I'd give him zucchini
(courgette), cucumber, broccoli, carrot, potato, cooked cabbage leaves,
dandelion leaves, etc. Use meaty foods only sparingly. Plecos are the
"sheep" of the catfish world, and feed mostly on algae and plants.>
And then he suddenly starts floating on the surface! I have made a 50% water
change and he seems to be able to hang onto the wall vertically, head up.
Maybe this is my answer?
<Indeed. Clean water makes him healthy...>
He lives in a 10 gallon tank with 1 angel fish and 9 mollies. Is our tank
overstocked and it makes him sick?
<Probably not sick, but suffering. Yes, 10 gallon tank is much too small.
Must be at least 30-40 gallons for an adult Plec. Preferably more. If you
have no space for a bigger tank, maybe you can find a friend with a bigger
aquarium he can live in?>
Thanks a lot!
Anastasia
<Good luck! Neale>
Re: Pleco problems 5/20/07
Dear Neale and Crew, thank you so much for your prompt
response!
<Hello Anastasia!>
When I wrote the letter yesterday, Plotya was vertical but later he surfaced
again belly up and had a hard time keeping his mouth in the water. This
morning he managed to tack himself behind the plant at the surface to keep
his head under the water.
<So, he's not quite at death's door yet.>
Part time he is attached to the wall by his mouth but it is obvious that his
belly keeps him afloat.
<Sounds very odd. Catfish breathe by putting air inside the intestine, and
it is possible this is making him float. But I think the main problem is
water quality in the aquarium. Your 10 gallon tank is too small for a Plec.>
And so his head is at the wall and the body is twisted and upside down off
of the wall, floating. And Part time he is just afloat sideways with his
head under the water. He does not move at all but I can see he is breathing.
<Not good.>
Unfortunately I cannot tell if he is bloated or not. He's always been plump.
I gave him a fresh peeled pea from the garden but it
seems that there is no way he can make it to the bottom to get it.
<Keep trying different vegetables. Root vegetables (potato, carrot, etc.)
are usually very good for Plecs, but sometimes they need to soften in the
water for 24 hours before the catfish can eat them.>
Does he have a swim bladder infection?
<Probably not. These are quite rare. Usually when fish cannot swim normally,
it is a neurological condition (brought on by, e.g., the wrong water
conditions) or a dietary problem (constipation). Adding *non-iodised*
cooking salt (NaCl) at a dosage of UP TO 1 gramme per litre is recommended
as one possible therapy in one of my fish health books. Certainly worth a
shot. Add salt in small doses, a maybe replacing 25% of the water per day
with water with some salt. Adding too much, too quickly is sure to shock the
fish.>
Thank you so much again! It is Sunday and I am desperate as to where to get
advice and how to treat him!
Anastasia
<Good luck, Neale>
Kribs? WWM content to come 3/1/07
Bob,
<Neale>
Hope you're well!
<Yes, thank you my friend>
I've been doing a marathon session of krib writing this month, and was
surprised to see you have nothing at WWM on Kribs and other Pelvicachromis spp.
Have I missed something?
<Heeee! Not likely! We are "missing" several life times of work...>
Fancy something run up about them for either the site or Conc. Aq.?
<Yes, certainly>
I happen to be breeding P. taeniatus at the moment, hence the flurry of textual
and photographic activity on the genus.
<Ahh!>
Have you seen that You Tube video of the giant school of plecs videoed
underwater in Mexico?
<No... do you have the URL?>
It's amazing. Totally *not* what you'd imagine from their aquarium behaviour...
but then isn't that so often the case. Also, are US aquarists up to speed on
"Microrasbora" galaxy? Seems within 6 months of discovery and sale to the
trade, it's heading for extinction! Not good.
Neale
<Yeeikes! I do wish I/we were more organized... perhaps with the revenue from
the upcoming Banner Ad push... to have you pen a "What's News"
section... BobF>
Re: Kribs? Microrasboras and Pleco URL! 3/1/07
Re: Microrasbora.
<Mmm, M. rubescens... a beauty>
I'm (along with others) looking after it's Wikipedia page, and have uploaded
links to the relevant references. I don't know about the US, but this species
was a *big* hit here, each specimen selling for about £4-5 (around $8-10) --
quite a sum for such a tiny fish.
<I'll say!>
It is very pretty though, and seems to do well in captivity, the first breeding
reports being within a couple of weeks of import. So not 100% gloomy, but
certainly alarming (cf. Banggai cardinals, perhaps?).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestichthys_margaritatus
Re: plecs, see here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bK5wg2tZ0U
<Neat!>
It's a lot of fun.
Will run something up on Kribs for CA/WWM in the next week or so. Should have
pretty pictures, too.
<Ahh, very good indeed. Thank you Neale>
Take care,
Neale
<BobF>
Pleco Problem?
9/11/06
Hello! I have a 30 gallon, year old aquarium with 3 Bala sharks,
<Will be too small for these three in time>
one Pleco, two spotted catfish, and one cherry barb (it's buddy died
recently). The Pleco, otherwise healthy in appearance, has a
white/yellow layer on his belly,
<Mmm... may be natural...>
and his colours seem slightly lighter all over than normal.
<Good observation... these fishes will change to lighter in bright
light, light colored surroundings, under stress... I'd be checking
your water quality here>
He is still eating and behaving normally. The pet store suggested
an ick treatment
<I would not do/use this... too toxic and this is not ich... or all
your fishes would exhibit symptoms>
that seems to have done little but maybe give his belly more of a
yellow hue. I haven't been able to find out why the barb died,
other than being chunky, he seemed healthy too.
Thank you for any help you can offer.
Lindsay
<Water changes, water tests... What species of Pleco is this?
Loricariids don't like hard, alkaline water like the minnow fishes
you have. Bob Fenner>
Pleco with skin disease? 8/18/06
Hello,
<Hi there>
I have a Bristlenose Pleco who seems to be losing his colour. When
I first got him, he was dark brown, but now patches of his skin are
a lighter tan colour (I would send a picture, but it's very hard
to coax him out into the open when it's light out, and he hides
whenever anyone goes near the tank anyway).
<Mmm....>
He's in my cichlid tank, and ammonia and nitrite are both 0, nitrate
is always less than 10 ppm.
This change is very recent; he was fine a couple of days ago,
and he's been pigging out on algae, but his colour certainly doesn't
look healthy. What could be causing this, and how do I go about
treating it?
Thanks!
<Not likely that this is something "treatable"... either just a
behavioral/physiological change from the animal being exposed to
bright light, light colored gravel... or a fright reaction to the
aggressive behavior of its tankmates. I would not "add" something to
the water here, but consider moving this animal to other quarters to
check this hypothesis. Bob Fenner>
Re: Pleco with skin disease? 8/19/06
Thanks Bob,
<Welcome Kate>
Now that you mention it, I think you might be on to something with the "fright
reaction," although the problem isn't his tankmates, who
ignore him (except when they steal his food), but it might have been my
fault. I had to remove every single rock (!!!) in the tank to
catch one of the fish the other day, and I imagine the Pleco was quite disturbed
by this turn of events.
<Oh yes>
Also, the rocks in question are white (or at least they are now that the Pleco
has finished cleaning them), so maybe it is just a "camouflage" thing. Thanks
for setting my mind at ease.
Kate
<Glad to. BobF>
Once playful Otos are now lethargic 7/28/06
Hello there,
<Hi from... HI!>
For the past 5 months, I have owned a 46 gallon, unplanted tank, containing 10
rummy nosed tetras, 10 black phantom tetras, 4 peppered Corys, and 3 Otos.
<Better with live plants...>
The Otos were originally quite playful, moved around the tank, stayed within
view, interacted with other fish and ate any algae that appeared. However, for
about the past month, the Otos have been in hiding.
<Something in the way of water quality changed>
Now I hardly ever see them, and algae is building up on the glass and plastic
plants. They don't appear to be sick, and none have died. All the other fish
appear to be normal. My water temperature has increased to about 82 degrees due
to the warmer summer weather, but besides that, I can't think of anything that
I've changed.
I do 20% water changes once every week or two, and nitrate level is 12.5g/L or
lower (my test kit measures only measures 1, 0, 12.5, and 25 mg/L). I don't add
any "Oto specific" food to the tank. Might I simply have more algae than they
can handle, allowing them to become more "lazy"? Do you have any thoughts on
the matter?
<Yes... I definitely would add some live plant material here... Will address
many possible ills, shortfalls that could be at play here... Dissolved oxygen,
food, shelter...>
Thanks in advance for your help.
Bonnie
<Welcome. Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/otocinclusart.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Colour changing Pleco 6/18/06
Hi there,
<Neill>
Thanks for a very informative and well structured website - it has helped
greatly in setting up my 2 foot tank.
<Welcome>
I have a Plecostomus which seems to change its colour frequently, getting
lighter patches one minute, then darkening to a healthy looking dark brown a
few minutes later. I really hope it is not ill or stressed!
<Mmm, no... more likely "mood changes". Perhaps a communication device>
I have sufficient filtration, plenty of aeration, do weekly 20% water changes
(mainly to keep the water looking good, the log I have in the tank
is still leeching tannins after 6 months).
<Sometimes do for years>
My chemistry is good, 0 Ammonia/um, 0 Nitrite, <20 Nitrate, although I battle
with pH a bit, keeping it below 8.0 requires quite a bit of pH-Down.
My Pleco's friends include about 14 Neons, 10 Blood Tails, 7 Platys (including
one baby) and 2 Bala Sharks. I feed them Tetra flakes, and then
add an algae tablet, which the Pleco loves, and will aggressively protect from
the Sharks and Platys!
Many thanks,
Neill Thompson from South Africa.
<As many welcomes from Bob Fenner in S. California>
Bully Pleco Or Sick Oscar - 05/22/2006
Hi guys, just looking on some answers for why my Oscar is letting the Pleco
bully him. The Oscar doesn't seem to know he is the alpha male and cowers around
the Pleco. The Pleco is far more aggressive than the Oscar. What can I do, my
Oscar has stopped eating now.?
Thanks for your help. Margo
<You Oscar may have an internal protozoan infection and your Pleco is now taking
advantage of the situation and dominating the Oscar. Do a 50% water change,
vacuum the gravel and clean the filter. Treat with Metronidazole as per the
directions on the package. separate the Pleco to prevent him from harassing the
Oscar any more while he is recovering.-Chuck>
Floating Pleco beh. 2/2/06
Hi Bob,
<Kat>
Hope all is well with you and your finned friends.
<Thanks>
I have a 65 gallon FW. Recently sized up from a 55. A very long time ago when
I was having a slight algae problem I bought a clown Pleco, not real
fond of "common plecs". Well he sure is cute but a waste of money. Algae eater
my fanny!!! My early ignorance.
<Mine continues unabated>
About 3 months ago I was getting the good old red bacteria, Cyanobacteria I have
since discovered, and bought a high fin spotted Plec.
<Most animals don't eat much/any Cyano>
If I don't feed my high fin he will clean the rocks but of course he doesn't
touch the plants nor do the Mollies, or the Gold Gouramis. So about every third
day I
break up an algae wafer and drop it around the tank.
<Good>
Now here is what I find VERY interesting and hysterically funny. The clown Plec
will latch onto a piece of food, any piece of food and be fine.
However the high fin spotted latches on to any type of food and just floats
away. He will allow himself to float about half way up the tank then drops
what he has and looks for something else.
<Neat>
Why in the Sam Hill does one float and the other not?
<Am tempted to go for the Monty Python "Witch Test" hypothesis here...>
When the high fin starts floating some of the gouramis just stop and look at
him, like what in God's name are you doing?
<Enjoying him/herself>
FYI this is what I have. 65 gallon, Emperor 400, Penguin 330 and two powerheads,
I know lots of current but all are fine.
6 Clown loaches, after I accidentally boiled my beautiful Synos. Don't ask or
you can. The guys at the LFS laughed until they cried. ( I am obsessive
about water changes etc)
7 gold gouramis. All about 3 inches.
6 mollies, three babies, two adult females, one adult male. (One of the adult
females I have had for two years and I can tell she is just about
ready to die of old age, she was one of my original fish, and when she goes so
will the rest of the Mollies back to the fish store. Maybe They are more
mean than the Gouramis LOLOLOL, and the guys at the LFS were worried about the
Mollies, RIGHT)
6 various Cory cats, all original, and one I saved from being flushed.
1 spotted Raphael, which I rarely see, unless I sneak in there at night with my
tiny flashlight.
Ok so now I am writing and can't stop.
I know there are some snails or something to get rid of the Cyanobacteria, and I
have phos ban in my filter, but snails won't take care of the Cyano on
the plants right?
<Correct>
Anyway really want to know about the floating Pleco, if there is an answer.
Have a good one,
Kat
<Just a floater... in a good way. Have thought re the "reasonableness" of animal
actions? Why do dolphins et al. cetaceans jump out of the water? Obviously
because they can... wouldn't you? Bob Fenner, who definitely would>
Spotted Sailfin Pleco behavior, health 7/15/05
Hi I was wondering if you could help me. I have a 190 litre tank which is
currently being filled out with Tetra. I also have a spotted sailfin
Pleco which I have had for approximately five years. I came home yesterday to
find the Plec at the bottom of the tank resting on the
artificial grass but more on its side. It looked liked it was dead! Anyway when
it was touched it swam off but came back minutes later to
again lie on its side and not move.
<Happens>
It has never been like this before it has always been an active fish and I am
quite concerned. I have checked the ph and nitrate levels which seem fine and
the water temp hasn't risen dramatically (very slightly due to the weather). I
have also caught him and given him the once over but there are no odd areas
of spots or anything on him. Any advice as to what is happening or is he just
dying of old age. Thanks.
<Large Loricariid species can/do live for a few decades. I suspect yours was
just resting... natural. Bob Fenner>
Plecostomus poo
Hi, my Plecostomus poops ALL the time/ long stringy thingies. His diet is
varied and I keep the tank quite clean, so does he have a parasite, or
what??? I can't seem to find info on this problem.
Thanks, Norma
<Nothing wrong here... Bob Fenner>
Research First, Stock Later
Hi Don - Oranda died. All this started when I inherited a huge brandy
snifter and thought it would be really cool to turn it into a fish tank so I
bought 2 goldfish - that turned out not to work too well because it had an air
problem which led me to get my 10-gallon tank. Since then, nothing but
problems: daily water changes and testing at least twice a day, constant
monitoring, keeping logs, faulty equipment, faulty test equipment, QT tanks,
meds, shrinking fish, cannibal fish, etc. and now 5 dead fish to show for my
hard work. Fish should be considered "pets", not disposable hobby items, and I
will not be getting any more. I have decided this is NOT for me and will pack
up my tank and equipment once these last two fish die. I'm going back to kitten
rescue which is what I did before. Yep, still hard work but much more rewarding
for me.
<Sorry to hear this. We all go through these problems at first. Learn from it
and improve. Your underlying problem is species selection. Goldfish and Plecos
will grow to a foot. Too big for a ten, even when small (but growing)>
In the meantime, I'm not giving up on the two fish remaining and am now
wondering about my new Pleco (who I've named "Hannibal") and how he was eating
my Oranda before she died. Does this mean he's a carnivorous Pleco? Never heard
of that, never warned of that, and I need to know if my calico goldie will be in
any danger being in the tank with him? I've read a couple websites that say he
will start eating fish mates if he's hungry enough - how to guarantee that
Hannibal stays well fed? Since he was sucking away at my Oranda, I guess this
means all the algae in the tank and the algae tabs I put in at night aren't
enough. Both pleco's I've had refuse veggies. I have followed the advice of WWM:
steamed but not squishy, nice big chunk so it's heavy enough to stay at the
bottom, tried zucchini, broccoli and peas,
but neither Pleco would touch any. Tiny bite size pieces don't work because they
float. Any advice you can give that will save him from being flushed is
appreciated. Thanks very much for all you've done for me.
Robin
<Robin, no matter your feelings on keeping fish, never flush one alive. Think of
the horrible death you are imposing on him. Return him to the fish store. Give
him away. Never flush. He is a bottom dwelling scavenger whose normal diet is
anything that sinks to the bottom of the river. This includes sick and dead
fish. He was doing what nature intended, and what you intended when you bought
him. Keeping the bottom clean. A hungry Pleco will try to eat the slime coat and
flesh of any fish he can catch. Since this fish seems to want a more meaty diet
than most, try a shrimp or other raw human seafood. Again, feed at night and on
the bottom. If you would like a fresh start with a all your new knowledge,
return them both now. Throw a small shrimp in the tank. It will decay and
produce ammonia. No fish in the tank means no water changes. Test it once or
twice a week. When ammonia and nitrite have both spiked and crashed AND nitrates
are rising, you can add one or two fish without all these problems. Stock
slowly, keep the number of fish low and research their adult size before buying
and you will find this much easier. But I would return the Pleco in any case. He
will outgrow the 10 soon enough. So will a goldfish. In an unheated 10 gallon
tank six White Cloud Minnows would work well. Add a heater and it would be a
great home for a Betta and three or four Cory catfish. Don> |
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