Pleco turning red?

[blacksnow]

I've had this pleco for 3 weeks. He spent first 2 weeks inside a piece of driftwood. So I haven't gotten to see him much. He came out a few days ago and I took this picture.

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I came home today and thought it was weird he has spent the past 2 days just on the bottom of the tank. Then I noticed more red =O

I stuck my hand in and touched him. He moved, but went up the front glass. Then fell down and landed on his back and just laid there for a second =O. My heart broke!

He is back on his belly right now but still right where he fell. This is the best picture I can take right now.

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WHAT SHOULD I DO????

[Fishalicious]

How long has the tank been running? What are your water parameters?
Added a lot of new fish at once?

It looks like ammonia burn....I would straight away do a large waterchange

[kaimarkhirst]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about this, he looks like a little darling!!!!

What are your water parameters. Ammonie, Nitrite, Nitrate, Temparature.

Any other dying fish or dead fish, tank conditions, cycled, age of water aquarium, meds youre currently using....

Info, Info, Info please...

Any info on this wouldbe hot.....

[kaimarkhirst]

It looks like ammonia burn....



Thas exactly what I thought and looks like. Behavour is clear toxic shock all over...

Just to be clear, does he nip up to the surface for air, or is he at the bottom all the time??

[blacksnow]

46 gallon tank

Fish:
2 - angel fish (med size)
3 - clown loaches (all under 3")
1 - drawf gourami
1 - tire track eel
1 - petricola catfish
1 - inspector pleco
1 - yellow strand king tiger pleco

My PH is a tad high 7.6, but other then that everything seems within reason. I just did a 30% water change this weekend, as I do every other weekend.

All of my other fish appear normal! I see no red spots, and they are eating and acting as they normally do.

The tank has been running for over 6 months now.

I am using no meds.

I do have several live plants.


The pleco I'm having the problem with was purchased online. He arrived in perfect condition. Soon as he went into the tank though he spent 2 weeks in the driftwood. So him being out the past 3 days I've got to see him a lot more.

I really don't want to lose this fish. I paid $80 for the lil guy, and it would break my heart =O </3

[blacksnow]

Thas exactly what I thought and looks like. Behavour is clear toxic shock all over...

Just to be clear, does he nip up to the surface for air, or is he at the bottom all the time??

He's been on the bottom of the tank for 2 days now! Just flat on the sand

[fins_n_fur]

Have you done a test for ammonia/nitrites and what are the results?

[kaimarkhirst]

This tank is WAAAAAYYYYY Full given the size and territoriality of the fish....

Besides this..... Water params please.

Also, the Fish, over what period of time have they been added?

[Fishalicious]

I just read your other topic and you did a 12 gallon water change as well as changed out both filter cartridges at the same time...your water has gone cloudy which points to a decline in bacteria (bacteria keep it sparkly clean) so I reckon looking at your stocking and the above you have set the cycle back on your tank. Definite ammonia burns on the pleco....

Large waterchange immediately and daily to keep the NO2 down as well as stop your other fish from suffering any burns... best get a test kit and keep up daily waterchanges until the tank has cycled again.

[blacksnow]

This tank is WAAAAAYYYYY Full given the size and territoriality of the fish....

Besides this..... Water params please.

Also, the Fish, over what period of time have they been added?

90% of the fish are quite new!

I had 2 oscars & the tire track eel for the longest time, but rid of the oscars...

I added the 2 angels, 2 clown loaches, and the gourami not long after I got rid of the oscars.

I then added the yellow stand king tiger pleco that is having issues.

Then I added the last clown loach & petricola catfish.

Then the inspector went in this past week when he arrived in the mail.

I understood I was pushing the limits of my tank, and some fish would need to move down the road. But I brought my water to the LFS every weekend for the longest time for them to check it. Everytime the guy said everything is fine.

I have an emperor 400 filter. I have regular catridges in, and even have the 2 media catridges filled with more carbon.

[blacksnow]

I knew changing both filter medias at once wasn't greatest idea, but bio wheels looked quite developed, and figured my sand held a good bit as well...

I GUESS NOT =O

If I remove the 2 angels would you consider the tank to be better filled?

[kaimarkhirst]

Mate,

Ill say this.. from what ive read, youre in a bit of a mess.

First of al lyouve got too many fish for the size of your tank.. By this I mean is that the size of your fish grow to.

Youve also got 3 plecs in there. simply put, they are the single most wasteful fish in the tropical world!!!!! (Aside from pirahnas and spotted pufferfish...) As youve changed your filter media all at once, youve got a tank that needs cycling.

So heres what id do...

Test kit....... Tests per day for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate for at least 4-6 weeks. Water changes 20% 3-4 times per week using de-chlorinated water, and be prepared to lose your angels as they are sensitive to all this.....

Hope this helps.

Kai

[kaimarkhirst]

Heres the problem.

Plecs.. SIZE of the king tiger would outgrow my 75G. Minimum size os at least 100G or so... they get biiiigggggggg... Id get rid. I know hes a beautiful fish, and god knows id like one.... But do him and yourselfa favour for his wellbeing and your other fishes, and LFS him..


Clown loaches.. Fine... Lovely fish!!!

Angels.. Fine, but like I said be prepared for a loss with these...

Other plecs.. Here it is. Ive gota 75G community and ive got 2 plecs. 1 bristlenose and 1 african spotted. Both of which only get to about 3 inches...... Theyve grown up together and are perfectly ok.. Moral of the story is, Small plec small tank... As in 1 realistically...... Im not surprised the kings having issues, hess be stresse like hell with the bad water and lack of tank space...

How much wood have you got in your tank?? As they love it!!!!

Dwarf Gouramis.. realistically, they need to be kept in multiples... But if hes happy...


Catfish, No chance in that tank mate.... Thsi bad boy will establish territory, harrass your angels as soon as the get near, bully your clowns, and generally dominate your tank..... think about the decision to get rid, as hell outgrow your tank. maybe a pictus????

Aquascaping. Youve nto touched on ti. But for plecs get more wood, catfish, wood holes or cave dwellings for hiding....... Clowns.. Things to do, plants to swim around, wood to swim through, and eat off.....

Think ive covered it so far. Keep postiong onthis one for updates as were all here to help mate...

Kai

[kaimarkhirst]

PS.. U still got your old filter media???

[blacksnow]

Garbage went out with my old filter media =O...Already thought of that..sigh

Well I moved the drawf gourami into another tank, and I have a friend I'll relocate the angels too...

It was my understand the 2 plecos I have remain quite small (5" and under). The guy who sold me the yellow strand king tiger said largest would be 5.7".

I've seen no problems with anyone getting along. Well other then the gourami bullying the angels sometimes =p

There is a huge piece of hollow driftwood in the tank, along with 2 caves, and some other rock for them to hide. Not to mention heavily planted on each end so they can hide in it.

[blacksnow]

heres a pic
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[blacksnow]

Did the water change

but now all 3 of my loaches are at top of the tank like they cant breathe =O

[kaimarkhirst]

Its a nice looking tank to say the least.

I think youre really moving the wrong fish here as the ideal setup on this tank would be to remove at least 1 of the plecs, the catfish defo, or leave 1 plec in, move the eel and leave the rest..

But if that your choise that fine, but the angels are only the tip of the stock problem..

Kai

[kaimarkhirst]

wheres your air stone??

[blacksnow]

wheres your air stone??
I don't have an airstone =O

[kaimarkhirst]

WHHHAAATT!!!!!!

oHHH DEAR.. Right then, I take it youve not got an air pump then??

If this is the case, then youve got no oxygen in your tank (Unless the filter is sorting this out, which I doubt indeed to the leve you need it..)

That is presumably why the loaches are at the top...

Where is your air supply coming from??

[blacksnow]

WHHHAAATT!!!!!!

oHHH DEAR.. Right then, I take it youve not got an air pump then??

If this is the case, then youve got no oxygen in your tank (Unless the filter is sorting this out, which I doubt indeed to the leve you need it..)

That is presumably why the loaches are at the top...

Where is your air supply coming from??

Never was aware I needed an air stone or pump with my setup.

I use a hang on the back style filter. Emperor 400 to be exact.

[PostalPenguin]

Fish near the surface usually means reduced oxygen in the water or damaged gills. However, right after a water change seems to me unlikely. The taps in all faucets I've seen have aerator screens that heavily aerate water so if you are filling it up from a faucet I doubt its low oxygen. Are you matching the temperature of the new water with the tank? Cold water sinks and they could just be reacting to a sudden layer of cold water on the bottom of the tank.

An airstone is good to have in place in all tanks. If its heavily planted then the plants will provide plenty of O2 but in tanks without good surface agitation by the filter it may be necessary to supplement with an airstone.

[blacksnow]

Yellow King Tiger didn't make it through night =[

RIP!!!

[Dixie]

Awww I'm so sorry you lost him. Hope you get the rest of your tank problems sorted out so you don't loose any more fish. Good luck.

[Pasutaman]

first of all, beautiful pleco. hope he makes it :) do your filter/water changes and everything then try and get some of this stuff...: API Stress Coat for fish and water conditioning with aloe vera, had the same problem with my tiger and a couple fish had started showing the same signs and then i started treating with this stuff. within a week everyone was happy. good luck!

[robflanker]

Stresscoat is essentially just a water conditioner... I am surprised your having such miraculous results with it...

[Pasutaman]

well i swear by it. i dont buy the specific solutions anymore, jsut that stuff. not too expensive either!

[robflanker]

I'm not sure thats a good idea if you get a true problem. Stress coat isnt going to help too much if you've got Ick