Strange Pleco Behaviour - ?????

Question

I have a young Leopard Sail fin Pleco. I've had him about 3 weeks now and he's been fine, until this afternoon.

For the last few hours now he's 'avoided' the bottom of the tank, he's just swimming mid to top of the tank, sometimes diving to the top as if feeding, sometimes he's just hovering, nose down.....
Also he's normally 'stuck' to something (decoration, side of the tank) sucking away, but he hasn't done that for the last few hours either.

Whats he up to?????

I have a 180 litre tank with good oxygenation. I have and 3 other bottom feeders, 2 small Clown Loaches and a Long Nosed Elephant Fish.....

All other fish are healthy/happy, acting their usual.

Answer 1

The nose down is a tip off to a swim bladder or constipation issue. Tonight at lights out try feeding him some fresh lettuce or hulled english peas. If that doesn't help in a day or so you probably have a swim bladder infection to deal with. For that I would suggest treating with Furanace or Maracyn TC.

MM

Answer 2

your pleco may have some type of gill fungus or growth. this will make your fish swim up to the top of the tank. The fish Is doing this because its trying to get air. he will need some type of medicine to get better. If you leave the pleco like this than it will die in a couple of days.