Woody
New Member
I have a 6-inch common pleco in a 46-gallon tank. A couple of nights ago, I had to remove the rock caves when I discovered they were causing problems with pH levels. The pleco—who usually is fairly active—settled into a spot at the top of the tank just above the heater and then showed no signs of movement for more than 24 hours (he might have moved about to feed at night).
By last evening, I was worried enough to flick his tail several times with a little plastic rod. No reponse. I had a plumbing repair in the house that was more urgent, so I went off to work on that project while feeling depressed about needing to go back and net the carcass of my favorite fish. I thought he was dead and just being held in place because he was wedged between the heater and the tank's corner. By the time I finished, he was swimming and acting normal.
So now I'm wondering: Do plecos sleep really deeply, or was he playing dead as a defensive measure when I flicked his tail?
By last evening, I was worried enough to flick his tail several times with a little plastic rod. No reponse. I had a plumbing repair in the house that was more urgent, so I went off to work on that project while feeling depressed about needing to go back and net the carcass of my favorite fish. I thought he was dead and just being held in place because he was wedged between the heater and the tank's corner. By the time I finished, he was swimming and acting normal.
So now I'm wondering: Do plecos sleep really deeply, or was he playing dead as a defensive measure when I flicked his tail?
I love my pleco, I sure wouldn't want to go through a fright like that!
