Whats wrong with my Pleco?

Question

i have had it for almost a year and it has never done this. It is floating in the tank in a vertical position and only moves when touched. then it will swim down to the bottom or side, try to suck on the ground or glass, then let go and go back to floating. Whats wrong?

But when mine is tired he hunkers down on the glass and goes to sleep. He has never done this before.

I just did a water change and yes he is a little to small for the tank but i will be transfering him to a tank five times the size within the next few days, but i now have my doubts because it may throw him into shock during the move/transfer. HE HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, even when all the other fish died of disease, he survived. Swim bladder maybe?

Answer 1

That could be tons of different things. Ammonia poisoning, nitrite poisoning, swim bladder, other internal infections, internal parasites, the list just goes on and on.

I would say check your water for ammonia and nitrites as those would be easy to fix and then just watch him for any other signs on illness that might help pin down the problem.

MM

Answer 2

So many factors come into play here.

What size is your tank?
How big is the fish?
How long has the tank been set up with fish?
What other fish if any are in the tank?
Have you tested the water for ammonia, ph, etc?

Really without this information its impossible to give a good answer. Although, I would suggest a 50% water change right away. Make sure to use a tap water conditioner to remove any chlorine from the water. You may also consider adding 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per gallon of water. Do not use table salt. disolve the salt in water before adding it to the tank or it will burn your pleco and cause even more trouble.

Good Luck

Answer 3

One month ago, i bought a pleco and put him in a new tank that was not yet cycled.
he received incredible amounts of amonia burning and his skin seemed white and worn out. This is most likely what has happen to yours. It will die within a day so its best to take him out before he rots the tank. You should only put pleco in tanks that are cycled, because they do poop alot and make a lot of amonia.

Answer 4

Nothing is wrong my Pleco fish does this too!!! It gets tired from cleaning so it needs a break!!!The slower the break the cleaner the tank!!!

=)

Answer 5

When he is floating is he gasping for air (yawning)?