I'm thinking that my pleco might be dead. He hasn't come out of his cave in a couple of days. Usually he does come out for a while but still stays in the shadows. Would a pleco float if he was dead or would it be possible for him to still be in the cave. I have looked in the cave to see his position and it hasn't changed. Also, he hasn't touched any algae discs that I have put in the tank. Any thoughts?
2007-03-02 09:25:26 · 9 answers · asked by Andrew 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
I'm more just wondering if my pleco would float on the surface if he was dead or if he would stay in the cave.
2007-03-02 09:37:07 · update #1
Poke him. Eventually one of two things will happen. Either you'll end up poking him harder and harder until it is obvious he's dead, or he will freak out, dart away, and scare the bejesus out of you.
Plecos do spend a lot of time hiding. I had to get rid of the log that my pleco had because he would only come out at night. I ended up putting a few plastic plants on one side of the tank so that he can hide, but is not so secluded that he stays there all the time. Also, plecos can get pretty big, so if you have a large one in a small tank, he wil be unhappy and hide all the time.
2007-03-02 09:37:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take out any leftover algae wafers in the tank.
Do a small 25 - 10% water change. Move the cave ornament to another area of the tank (don't take it out unless you need to). Then turn off the tank light. Check on the tank in a few hours to see if the pleco is busy cleaning. If he's still not moving catch him in a vase (not a net you'll break his spine thing). Leave him in there overnight. Then in the morning check him for a pulse.
The cave may be the pleco's hang out (plecos tend to rest in their one favorite spot in the tank).
2007-03-02 21:04:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your Pleco is dead, and stuck in the cave, then no, it will not float. It will stay stuck in the cave. If you are wondering if your pleco is alive or dead, follow the above advise. If it is dead, then its best not to leave it in there. It can produce some very harmful water conditions for your tank if left there to decompose.
2007-03-02 17:59:12 · answer #3 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes I have seen a fish go into a state of shock because there is something in it's tank to mess with it's natural body functions, but normally they come out of that kind of state after a hour or so. Unfortuanatly, it could be dead, so (this may sound cruel) poke it (Gently!) or disturb it to see if it is alive. That's what I would do and I've been studying animals since I was 4.
2007-03-02 17:31:35 · answer #4 · answered by Kale 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plecos won't float when dead. Try to move it with the net. I think it is dead because it hasn't touch the food. If it isn't, staying in dark places during the day is normal, they are nocturnal. Try to feed him during the night, if it is still alive.
2007-03-02 21:55:21 · answer #5 · answered by Shadow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is not dead he sounds awfully sick!
Check all your water vitals, do a 25% water change if you haven't done one already. Make sure you remove any algae disks that haven't been eaten after 2 hours as this begins to have an effect on your water quality.
And do a physical check on him, try get him out of his cave and observe for any signs of injury or disease.
Move to a hospital tank if you have one.
If there are any signs of injury or disease, go see you Aquarist asap.
2007-03-02 17:33:06 · answer #6 · answered by <^^Em^^> 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not take the cave out of the tank, there for he would have to swim around... are you sure that it isnt stuck? I would seriously take the cave out of there to make sure he can get to his food!
2007-03-02 17:30:14 · answer #7 · answered by csmutz2001 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that's what happened to mine and he was died they don't float they just stay in one position
2007-03-02 21:15:55 · answer #8 · answered by chick o 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to net him, if he doesnt move, hes dead
2007-03-02 17:30:08 · answer #9 · answered by Skittles 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋