I have bought 2 different plecos for my FW tank and they both died within a couple of days. All of my other fish are fine. I think it may be because of the shale rocks I purchased from a rock quarry. I boiled them for an hour like I was told to, and it hasn't affected my other fish, but I think it may be because the plecos feed of of the shale and maybe get the toxins. Is this a good assumption? Also, I have a few shrimp that are finae also, and they occasionaly feed off of the rocks
2007-03-27 04:13:30 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I think it's a logical assumption that something may be wrong with the rocks. I would suggest you remove several and place them in a small bowl with just enough water to cover them. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it aside where it will be undisturbed for 24 - 48 hours. Look carefully at the surface of the water for any signs of a film or oily appearance. Shale is often oil bearing and may contain traces of petroleum. The plecos due to location in the tank or physiology may be more sensitive than other fish in the tank.
MM
2007-03-27 04:37:32 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Plecos dying is a VERY bad sign. It means the levels in your tank are out of wack. See, plecos are like the canary in the coal mine, but more like the donkey... If that makes sense. If you see your pleco dead, that means there's something really wrong. For the longest time, plecos just dropped dead in my tank too. The thing you have to worry about is how old your tank is. It needs to be well established to keep a pleco alive. Also, shale should have nothing to do with it, but if you think that, get it out of your tank! You really should only use aquarium grade items you can buy from stores in your tanks.
Test your water and give it a while before getting a new pleco. It may sound dumb, but get a healthy baby from Walmart. Those are the only plecos that I have managed to keep alive in my tank. Fancy ones seem to be more sensitive.
Good luck, hope i helped.
2007-03-27 12:29:50 · answer #2 · answered by Sputz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anytime a fish that is recently added to a tank dies in only a few days you should suspect the water quality. There could be high levels of various toxins in the water that have shocked the new fish and killed them. How long has it been since you have done a partial water change?
You should be doing 25-30% water changes every week to keep the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates at or very near zero levels.
Your old fish will tolerate a slow buildup of these three toxins because it happens so slowly, but eventually their immune systems will become compromised by them and they will also die.
Regular partial water changes are the "best" thing you can do for your fish to keep them and their water healthy.
2007-03-27 12:17:55 · answer #3 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Plecs are very hardy fish, i would think that the problem is the shale, id get rid of it. i put some slate in my tank and it started killing my fish off. i would remove the shale definitly.
2007-03-27 12:06:05 · answer #4 · answered by TERRY U 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try taking out the rocks and see if they are still dying. if they are, maybe its the food/temperature of the water or something.
2007-03-27 11:19:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋