Bloated Common Pleco

[AlienWish]

Issue: Common Pleco is bloated. Seems to have happened the day after Mopani wood being added.
The pleco is a youngster, about 2 inches long.

Tank size: 20 Gallon
pH: 7
ammonia: None
nitrite: None
nitrate: Under 20 but present
kH: about 100
gH: 0
tank temp: 78 Degrees

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
Bloated belly.

Diet: Algae on side of tank, algae wafers. Will not eat vegetables. Never has. Just added shelled cooked peas tonight in his cave.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25%, 2-3 times a week due to algae

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Nothing besides water conditioner. Jungle Tank Buddies tabs.

Tank inhabitants: 3 African Dwarf Frogs, 2 Albino Cories, 2 Mickey Mouse Platys, 6 Danios
3 tiny platy babys in a breeder's net. Live plants.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): Mopani Wood. Soaked for 5 days, first. Platys keep reproducing.

Exposure to chemicals: None

Digital photo:
[URL="http/img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/PaulaJedi/041.jpg"]http/img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/PaulaJedi/041.jpg[/URL]


(Yes, I am aware that the pleco will get big and that the tank is slightly over stocked. I have plans to remedy this, but for now, I'm worried about my pleco).

 

[AlienWish]

P.S. Also have charcoal in a bag in the filter as instructed by the bag for the mopani wood.

Issue: Common Pleco is bloated. Seems to have happened the day after Mopani wood being added.
The pleco is a youngster, about 2 inches long.

Tank size: 20 Gallon
pH: 7
ammonia: None
nitrite: None
nitrate: Under 20 but present
kH: about 100
gH: 0
tank temp: 78 Degrees

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
Bloated belly.

Diet: Algae on side of tank, algae wafers. Will not eat vegetables. Never has. Just added shelled cooked peas tonight in his cave.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25%, 2-3 times a week due to algae

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Nothing besides water conditioner. Jungle Tank Buddies tabs.

Tank inhabitants: 3 African Dwarf Frogs, 2 Albino Cories, 2 Mickey Mouse Platys, 6 Danios
3 tiny platy babys in a breeder's net. Live plants.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): Mopani Wood. Soaked for 5 days, first. Platys keep reproducing.

Exposure to chemicals: None

Digital photo:
<a href="http/img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/PaulaJedi/041.jpg" target="_blank">http/img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/PaulaJedi/041.jpg</a>


(Yes, I am aware that the pleco will get big and that the tank is slightly over stocked. I have plans to remedy this, but for now, I'm worried about my pleco).

 

[WILDER]

Do you feed blood worms.
Is his scales sticking out.
Have you noticed him going to the toilet if so what does it look like.
Epson salt baths to draw the fluids out.
If you can issolate bacterial med.

 

[AlienWish]

Yes, bloodworms are fed to the frogs and other fish, both frozen and freeze dried. He hides so much that I can't see his poo. I'm trying to catch him at night but it's hard.

 

[WILDER]

Feeding to many bloodworms can make fish bloat up.
I wouldn't feed them more than twice a week and then only a few.
I had plecs and they bloated up sadly they end up dying when this happens so have to act fast.
I would get going with the epson salt baths.
Can you issolate him as I wouldn't feed him for a few days.

 

[AlienWish]

I put him in a cup of aquarium water today for an hour with a pinch of epsom salt. Is this enough? No effect yet.

 

[WILDER]

A cup to small try a jug.
What salt did you use?
Make sure the temp dosn't drop to fast as you don't want the jug water to go cold then add back to a warm tank.