Disappearing Neons

[mhancock]

Hi,
 
My 85l tank is with a friend who looked after it while we moved, and she emailed me yesterday to say that she thinks she saw the plec trying to eat a live neon, and that there are a good few neons missing.
 
Will plecs eat small fish that are not dead!?  Maybe I need to move him into a tank with bigger fish.....
 
 
 
M

 

[WILDER]

What type of plec is it?
How big is he?

 

[mhancock]

The plec is about 5 inches long, common I think

 

[WILDER]

I'm not to sure to be honest. I know they will try and eat dead fish and that's about it.
Copy and paste your thread to Tropical Discussion. Maybe add a photo of the plec to make sure it is a common plec.
I think you will get a better response over there.

 

[star4]

Plecs will feed on sick/dying fish, there maybe a problem in the tank causing the neons to be weakened. Get your friend to check the water stats, check for any marks on the neons that are left (spots, leisions etc), any colour loss, flicking or flashing.

 

[WILDER]

I agree with star4. Glad someone alert this morning.
 
We do need more info on water stats.
Stocking.
If the neons are showing signs of ill health.

 

[mhancock]

Thanks for the replies.  The tank should be coming back in the next few days so I can do a good water change, can post a pic of the plec then too.  
 
Water stats normally fine, but I've not had the tank for a few weeks - if the fish are not doing well it's probably due to a lack of water changes

 

[star4]

Or over feeding that can also cause problems. Chances are you can be advised better once you get the tank back.