Help! My Pleco Is Sick... :(

[Elle3]

Hi Everyone,
     I'm VERY new to this thread and don't really know where to go to ask for help.  I have a 13 year old pleco and it has stopped eating and is pooping very little, when it does it's clear/stringy.  It's laying on the bottom of the tank and is very rarely attaching to the sides.  My PH is now 7.6, temp is 74* F.  I have, nor have I had (in over 10 years) other fish with it, it's been by itself, as I was afraid to introduce anything new into his/her tank, in fear of bringing in sickness. 
    2 weeks ago I did a complete cleaning, because I noticed in the corner of the tank, a mold (cotton like) was growing on left over food, feces.  The water smelled horrible (prior to that the tank was cleaned 2 weeks before).  I then noticed this past Friday evening (5/2/2014) that the same thing was occuring and did another complete cleaning on Saturday (5/3/2014).  That's when I realized that he wasn't eating or going pooping the same, as he had been.  I fed him, over the weekend and he's not touching his food, so this morning I did a 25% change to vacuum the bottom to get the food out of the tank.  This is when I noticed the clear stringy (what I would say was poop) in the tank.
   I'll be completely honest, I'm illerate on plecos and I've been reading sites and don't understand half of what I'm reading.  I purchased him as a baby...he was only 3 inches and is 13 1/2 now and has been VERY healthy up to this point...soo... I'm assuming I must have been doing something right??? 
   Can anyone help me...  My heart is breaking, as he has an exceptional personality...he knows me, when I go up to the tank.  I even kiss the outside of the tank and he comes right up to me and sucks on the inside, as if he is kissing me back.  I'll try my best to answer any questions you may have for me, but as I've said...I'm pretty much illerate when it comes to understanding in depth, about a fish tank.
     Thank you soo..much for any and all your help in advance...  I feel time is running out and I have no one in the area that can help me and I've tried very hard.
    Warmly, Elle
   

 

[WILDER]

How may gallons is the tank please?
Can you post water stats please in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
 
With the water smelling foul I would treat him with an internal bacteria medication.
 
Water smells bad when bad bacteria is running rampant in your tank. It will smell like rotten eggs, sulphur, off meat.
 
Welcome to the board.

 

[Elle3]

Hi Wilder...Thank you for posting.  First, I have a 20 gallon tank...  I'm not sure of all the readings you have asked me, as I've never had a problem so I never bothered doing them...  I know, not good.  Anyway, can you tell me what I need to get these readings and where to get the products.  Right now, the tank doesn't smell...actually it's spotless.  That smell took place 2 weeks ago, I cleaned my tank very well and it's been fine..  I did another cleaning this past Saturday, because I noticed he didn't eat his food and that fuzzy mold (???) was growing a bit on the food he didn't eat.  That's when I realized he wasn't eating...  Now I fed him over the weekend and I just did a 25% water change, this morning, just to vaccum the bottom of his tank, from the food that he didn't eat over the weekend.  Can you help me or rather him???  Thank you soo...much...

 

[WILDER]

For now take a sample of your water to the LFS and ask them to write the readings down for you.
Buy a master liquid test kit online, or a local fish shop.. Avoid the test card strips. There not accurate.
Did you maintain the tank once a week before the water started to smell?
Is he leaning to one side when resting?
Does he look darker in colour, or look pale?
Did he look bloated, or on the thin side before he stopped eating?
Does he act listless and lethargic?
 
I would try and get hold of Maracyn Plus, Tetracycline but these medications will wipe the good bacteria out in the filter.
Also soak his food in garlic juice to stimulate appetite, and boost his immune system.
 
Is it possible to load a pic onto the site.

 

[Elle3]

Okay...What is LFS? I can run now and get a master liquid test kit. Is that the name of what I would ask for..??? I always cleaned his tank every 3 to 4 weeks and never had this problem. This is the very first time this happened. He's not leaning to one side or another--he's laying perfectly on his belly. His color hasn't changed..not at all...he's the brown one with cream colored spots on his belly. He never looked bloated or thin, before this happened...even now he looks the same, this is why I feel I need help now, before he gets worse.

Garlic Juice??? Are you talking like just regular garlic juice from minced garlic that I would buy in a store

I can try to get a picture to you, I'm not that great at doing that kind of stuff either... sorry, but I will try my best...

 

[DrRob]

LFS = Local fish shop.
 
Garlic juice is indeed exactly what it sounds like, as you thought.

 

[WILDER]

LFS is short for local fish store.
Just ask for liquid test kits in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
There not cheap. 
For now just ask the local fish store if they could test your water for you, and ask if they wouldn't mind writing the readings down for you.
 
Pleco's are massive waste producers, and he's quite large and only in a 20 gallon tank.
You should be doing a gravel vac and water change once every week. But with him being quite big I would maintain the tank at least twice a week.
 
He could have an internal bacteria infection.
Long stringy waste can be an indicator sometimes. Also he's off his food.
As long as you can get the juice minced garlic fine.
You might need to do a water change as sometimes it can mess the water up.

 

[Elle3]

Thank you Dr. Rob... as I said, I really know nothing and my pleco has been very healthy, for me--for 13 years--Thankfully...

Ohh...Wilder..he is a bit lethargic, less active than normal....  I'm running to the store now, for a Master Liquid Test kits...  I want to help him the BEST that I can and get him through this...  I'll post back to you as soon as I get back and do the readings...  Thank you soo..much...  I'll post back soon...

Ohh...Wilder..he is a bit lethargic, less active than normal....  I'm running to the store now, for a Master Liquid Test kits...  I want to help him the BEST that I can and get him through this...  I'll post back to you as soon as I get back and do the readings...  Thank you soo..much...  I'll post back soon...

Ohh...Wilder..he is a bit lethargic, less active than normal.... I'm running to the store now, for a Master Liquid Test kits... I want to help him the BEST that I can and get him through this... I'll post back to you as soon as I get back and do the readings... Thank you soo..much... I'll post back soon......
Ohh...before I leave...  Will I soak his algae wafer in this garlic juice, then just drop it into the tank  Thank you, once again...

 

[WILDER]

I would get the medication as well.
If you do get one of the medication I listed it will knock the good bacteria out in the filter.
Meaning you will have to cycle again. 
 
Do you have other tanks?

Soak his algae wafer for a while and give them a stir, Then feed.

Good Luck.
Keep us all updated. That's if you don't mind.

 

[Elle3]

Okay Wilder, I got the Master Test Kit here are the readings:
 
PH  7.4
Ammonia  0.25 ppm
Nitrite  0 ppm
Nitrate  5.0 ppm
 
I left before I received you last post and only bought the test kit.  I will go back to the store tomorrow and pick up the Maracyn Plus or the Tetracycline.  Also, I think I need the Ammonia Lock??? So, I will pick that up as well. 
 
I'm going to soak the algae wafer now, then feed him.
 
Also, no I don't have other tanks, this is the only one and he/she is my only fish.
 
I will look forward to hearing from you when you have the time to get back in touch with me, about his readings and yes--I will definitely keep you all updated, as well.
 
Thank you, soo...much for taking your time to help me--all your help is truly appreciated...

 

[WILDER]

What is the manufacture name of the test kit please?
Is the reading for ammonia 0 or slightly higher than 0.
Other reading look great.
 
How is the pleco?
As he eaten?

 

[Elle3]

Good Morning Wilder, Thank you, once again, for being here for me.  The test kit is by API.  I just did another full test on the water... the results are the same.  Here are the results, as of this morning:
 
PH  7.4
Ammonia  0.25 ppm
Nitrite  0 ppm
Nitrate  5.0 ppm
 
I did the test again, because I didn't trust the lighting in the house last night, as it was dark.  I felt mor comfortable doing it again, just to be sure, in the daylight hours.  As you can see the readings haven't changed and are the same, as last night.
 
The readings for the Ammonia are exactly 0.25 ppm...they maybe a just a tad lower, by the color on the panel card that was provided with the test kit.  However, it's not at 0, there is a color varition leading more towards 0.25 ppm. (Not above the 0.25 though).
 
I soaked the Algae Wafer last night in the garlic juice.  He more or less fought with it, like he wanted it out of his tank and he moved it around.  However, as of this morning it's still there in pieces, he didn't eat it...  I just put in a Shrimp wafer and he's not touching it...but he is sucking on the side of the tank, now and then, which he hasn't done in days.
 
I'm now waiting for the stores to open here, then I'm going to go and get the Ammo Lock and the medicine, you have mentioned.
 
I'll be here until I leave (about 2 to 3 hours)...  Then return here (to the site) when I get back...so if I need to get anything else, I'll be waiting to hear for you, before I leave.
 
I really appreciate ALL your help... Thank you, soo...much, from the bottom of my heart

 

[WILDER]

Bless Him. It was worth a try trying the garlic approach. Maybe try again.
 
I used the API ammonia test kit. Its quite good. 
Preform a water change if your ammonia is slightly over 0.
I think I would still medicate as I don't want him going downhill  any further. As once they start to go downhill it's very rare they survive.
 
I won't be around tonight. But I will still be here for a few hours. So if you still have questions please ask.
 
Thank you for the update. I appreciate your kind comments. But were all here to help one another that's why I love this forum.
So many kind hearted members. 

Do you have a spare heater, air stone and pump?
Or even a spare filter?

 

[Elle3]

Thank you for getting back to me, before I leave. 
 
No, I don't have a spare heater, I do have spare air stones, but not a pump and don't have a spare filter.  Should I pick up another pump, for more filteration???  Should I do another water change now???  Then check the readings and see where they are...then if I need the Ammo Lock add it and the medicine??? 
 
Ohh...before I forget is it okay to add the Ammo Lock and the medicine, at the same time?  If not, should I add that medicine first, than wait and add the Ammo Lock?  I'm not familiar with doing any of this, as I've never had a problem in the 13 years I've had him...this is all soo..new to me. 

 

[WILDER]

My thinking is if you do use antibiotics is that we need to try and save your good bacteria in your sponges.
Can you set a plastic tub up with tank water and submerge the filter and keep it running. If it warm where you are you might get a way with not adding a heater to the tub.
Then all you do is add some flakes twice a day to keep the bacteria alive. A few small water changes every few days.
Just run an airstone in main tank while you are medicating. As long as there plenty of aeration.
 
Never used Ammo Lock so don't know anything about it. You could ask the local fish store about that.
Or even start a thread in tropical discussion.
 
Do a water change now. But test a few hours later so you don't get a false reading.