Hi--

This is a freshwater emergency for my common Pleco. He (or she) stopped eating his favorite, zucchinni, about 5 days ago. I thought it might have been because the last piece was a little old, so I didn't think anything of it, but then I noticed he wasn't eating at all. His belly seems bloated I think, though and it seems as if he is having trouble swimming--I noticed he had trouble righting himself when he turned over behind a rock, and also, he jerks around when he moves, as if spooked, like a visible stutter.

I think the water is fine; I have several platys, a couple of neons, a couple of barbs and a hatchet fish--and two ther hatchet-like fish, not to mention numerous platy fry, and nobody is hanging at the surface and all bodies--including the Pleco's look pristine.

I think it might be an internal parasite, and as I type, my s.o. is picking up marcyn 2, but then i think it might be constipation. I am guessing! I am leery of using medicine as I have found in the past that a pound of cure often kills the disease along with the patient. Please help!

There are the teeniest little protruberances near the underside of his upper fins, but i think they have been there all along, just little rows of unaggravated teeny tiny bubbles, almost look like sensors....

He seems to be a little cramped in his posture, but that might be where he's sitting. His fins are clamped, his belly definitely looks bloated, and again, the no eating thing.

Please help!!! Thank everyone--Karen

sounds like he is constapated de shell a few peas and that should sort him out

how big is he and what size tank is he in


Cheers Dane

I think maybe treating it with a anti internal bacteria med would also help. (Interpet no9)

even with a bacteria infection he would still eat

defo constapated few deshelled peas should sort it



Cheers Dane

Hi Dane--

i found this similar solution on other sites as i waited for replies, also the addition of epsom salts and raising the temp to 82 slowly; i am doing both things, as well as the peas. what do you think about epsom salt? Mully (short for Mulligan) is about 7-8 inches tip to tail and the tank is 30 gall. i just now looked over and Mully's moved to where i put the mashed peas but i can't tell yet if she (i think of her as a she) is eating, but i am ver' encouraged. i want to not use the marcyn at ALL (evil schtuff) and i am thinking you (all) might be right. I will keep you posted. Let me know what you think about epsoms if you can, most particularly dosage. I read 1 tsp per 5 gall, but i don't know if i should remove carbon (it's a few days old; carbon) and if i should re-dose at some point or not, as i know aquarium salt lasts indefinitely. Thank you again. Karen

This post has been edited by charonchariot: Feb 20 2008, 09:47 PM

never really used epson salts tbh peas hae always worked for me and i think your plec needs a bigger home



Cheers Dane

I don't care what anyone reads anywhere, do not use epson sqlt in a pleco tank. Mully like to have a fit when i put 2 teaspoons in my 30 gall and i had to run out to buy RO, change 30 % of the water, all in fifteen minutes before work. I thought it sounded okay, i have treated ick before successfully with aquarium salt and water temp increases, and i thought this sounded homeopathic, especially compared to marcyn, but it was bad for my fish, ver' bad. It is too early in the day to trun the light on yet, but she calmed down after the water change, and did put her body across the peas, although i didn't see her eat any. Today i will put the peas in a tupperware lid--i have big rocks on the bottom of my tank, not gravel--so i can keep an eye on how much or little is eaten and i will post the results. Tomorrow i am going to take a h2o sample to pet store but i work a double today so i can't today. I will post tonight with an update....thank you dane for your help and concern for Mulligan...Karen

My Plec has been floating on his side at the top of my tank today as well. I thought he was dead, but every time I poke him, he swims down to the bottom (then floats back to the top).

Based on the replies in this thread, it seems that I should feed him some shelled peas (I have dropped 3 in the tank 5 mins ago) but I dont see how his is going to eat them, as he has a hard time staying at the bottom of the tank. He tries propping himself up on different items in the tank to avoid floating to the top, but he always ends up there anyway.

I tries holding him down on top of one of them, but he wanted nothing to do with it. I didnt expect him to eat it with me holding him down...plus he usually feeds overnight.

Will he actively pursue the peas or will he only eat them if he happens to come upon one while feeding? I just dont see how he is going to eat them being stuck at the top of the tank with his 'condition'....

This is an FYI for all the people who were kind enough to post advice. Mully, my pleco is 100 % again! Yay! I don't know what it was that helped, the peas, or her min exposure to epsom salts, but she's eating to beat the band and I am just so pleased. Thanks to everyone. Hope all is well in your fishy worlds!! Sorry to be late posting the good news, but isn't that always the way...

Hi did you come up with any answers my plec is in the same condition his belly is huge.
Regards Mike mikesbike@btinternet.com