Common Pleco Eat Fish?

[serbusfish]

Today I moved 4 Black Skirt Tetras from my tank into my parents tank which houses a large common pleco. For the first few hours all 4 were present and accounted for, but my dad told me he saw one of them having a bit of a stress as it was stuck in a corner where the pleco was sitting, and now I can only see 3 swimming around. Is it possible the Pleco got annoying with it darting around and swallowed it?

 

[xingumike]

If it died yes, but they are scavengers not predators.

 

[LucyB]

I would say not, I don't think it's very likely that it was the pleco. My pleco has never touched any fish and i've never heard of anyone else's doing it either, from what you said about the darting around and hiding in corners, it sounds to me like stress may have killed it? How far a journey is it to your parents house?

 

[serbusfish]

I would say not, I don't think it's very likely that it was the pleco. My pleco has never touched any fish and i've never heard of anyone else's doing it either, from what you said about the darting around and hiding in corners, it sounds to me like stress may have killed it? How far a journey is it to your parents house?

A 10 second walk downstairs

They were super stressed as catching them proved to be a real nightmare, I had to practically remove all my plants from my tank so I could catch them as they kept darting about. Once they were in the new tank they were chilled and fine, it was only when cornered by the pleco it started stressing and darting around.

 

[snazy]

I have a big common pleco living with predominantly small fish and he has never touched any, including very small fry. But most fish, including scavenger ones like plecos will eat a dead fish. Does the water in your parent's differ and did you acclimate the fish and how?

 

[serbusfish]

False alarm, the fish has magically reappeared this morning! Admittedly its 'skirt' looks a little ratty, but apart from that it is back swimming with the others. Crazy!

 

[Benakaben]

haha this happens with my neons! i get convinced ive lost one the i look back an hour or so later and all are there!