Common Pleco Issues

[beanz8]

This is not my fish it is my Mother in Laws.

Tony is a Common Plecostomus. He is the only fish in the tank.

All the information i have is that this weekend he had what can only be described as a fit - apparently he started thrashing about the tank and then stopped and floted on his side.

MIL has done a 1/3 water change. She doesnt have a testing kit but as i will be going up there on friday i can take my API kit and test the water parameters for her.

What i would like to know is does this sound familiar occurence if ill? What could cause it?

He is approx 10 years old (maybe older).

Thanks

 

[KittyKat]

How big is the tank and what are the tankmates?

 

[hanny93]

Kitty Kat OP stated he is the only fish in the tank

But tank size/how long it has been setup/what is the usual maintenance routine would be a good place to start

 

[beanz8]

i dont know the dimensions of the tank but i do know it is no where near big enough as he can stick to the top of it and his tail reaches the gravel, i would estimate he is about 10-12 inches in length.

Tank set up is with an external filter and heater and a large piece of bogwood, some fake plants and a gravel bottom.

As for maintenence i know she does water changes but i dont know how often, i would imagine 1 to 2 weeks.

If more info is required if it is possible give me a list and i will get them answered.

 

[hanny93]

What is the actaul dimensions of the tank?
Find out the gallon/litre size of the tank and what her water changes are and when, i.e. 30% every 3 days or 40% every two weeks

 

[KittyKat]

The cause could be the small tank.. but more general information on the set-up would be useful.

 

[beanz8]

ok i will try and find out.

as stated we know they tank size is too small but would it all of a sudden cause such an issue, he has lived in this tank all his life and has not grown for 2 years, surely tank size and maintenance issues would have had an effect a lot sooner?

im not excusing anything just asking questions. he is a product of what we now know to be bad advice a long time ago.

 

[KittyKat]

as stated we know they tank size is too small but would it all of a sudden cause such an issue, he has lived in this tank all his life and has not grown for 2 years, surely tank size and maintenance issues would have had an effect a lot sooner?

im not excusing anything just asking questions. he is a product of what we now know to be bad advice a long time ago.

It depends.. but yes, it can become a serious problem all of a sudden, even if it has always been wrong.