I Give Up

[LisaLQ]

I've just found Herbie the L203 dead in the tank. He was fine yesterday, I was showing Kathy how much he'd improved since we bought him - his colours were amazing, he had a round tummy (not in an overly round constipated way though). There wasn't a mark on him so he's not been attacked or anything. No symptoms of anything, as I said, yesterday he was looking great.

I've had a big cry and am seriously thinking about packing in my tank and rehoming my other fish (obviously I cant yet in case it's something going around). It seems every time I try a "fancy" plec, it dies - and params are fine, there's nothing wrong with the water (amm-0, nitrite-0, nitrate-10-20, ph-6.8).

The only thing I can think of is that the salt in the tank, despite being at a really low level, killed him. Either that or the temp (80f - cant get it lower in either of our tanks despite heaters being turned right down). I dont know. But I'm going to have to think seriously about whether I want to carry on with my fish or not. If I cant add anything to the tank without it dying, what's the point in trying to stock it? I give up.

 

[KathyM]

It won't be the salt Lisa - the minimal dosage you used is not unsafe for plecs. Our Royal was of similar size when we treated our tank with the same dosage, and we had a much smaller and more fragile plec in there then too. I'm really sorry. *hug*

 

[Leonwillow]

I'm really sorry. You have had a terrible time recently. It's awful when this happens. I lost 3 264's within 2 weeks a while ago..... all from the same shop and bought at the same time. Was gutted.

I hope you reconsider giving up.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

awwww i'm sorry to hear that Lisa

think we've all gone through rough patches and considered packing it all in.

Just take a step back for a few weeks, keep everything ticking over but give yourself a bit of a break. Then in a few weeks I'm sure you'll feel much better about things. You should never give things up on impulse descisions you may regret later.

 

[KathyM]

I think Leon makes a very good point Lisa. I got my chaetostoma and the poorly angel from there, both now in fishy heaven. When you're feeling up to it, maybe you and I could go to Leeds when you're doped up and get you a decent quality little fella from that one near the market where I got Nibbler. Sorry if it's too soon to suggest that, just trying to help make you feel better.

 

[confusion]

I haven't had a lot of problems with my plecos, but then I only have 2. I have had a LOT of problems with oto's dying unexpectedly. My theory is that unless it's some externally visible disease like a fungal infection or the like, it's hard to spot in catfish like plecs and otos because of their behavior. i.e., are they on the bottom of the tank not moving much because they're sick, or because they're eating or resting or sleeping. Anyhow, with respect to oto's at least, I had a friend suggest I treat all new additons with anti-parasite meds, as they seem to be particularly vulnerable, probably due to the conditions they are raised in. I'm wondering if the same is likely to be true of plecos. I don't think all parasitic infections are apparent via the "white stringy poop test", and possibly the round belly was a sign of that.

Im not sure if you're getting the plec's from the same place or not, but if you are that would probably strengthen the possibility that they have some underlying illness. I've had a lot of luck with preemptively treating my otos in QT for parasites, maybe it'll work for your new plecs as well.


HTH

 

[chardonnay1000]

Sorry to hear of you loss lisa, keep your chin up and maybe in few days youl b down at your lfs seeing what other little beauties they have. Dont be hasty and do something you might regret. Good luck in whatever path you take.

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

Oh Lisa . First Chickenmuck Nugget, then Flash Gordon, now Herbie. I'm really sorry. I'd also cry loads if it were my plecs. They are so gorgeous and it's very hard to loose something that has such character.

Hope you find out what the problem is and don't give up.

 

[Shaker]

I really can empathize with you Lisa, I lost a L052 a while back after only a couple of weeks ( paid alot of £'s for it ) and was gutted when I found it dead. It showed no signs of illness or distress. I know I look after my fish well and now take the opinion if a fish does die with me after only a few months it's not my doing. But fish do die for varying reasons and we must just get on with it,learn from our bad luck ( be it buying fish not suitable for our tanks, or buying from poor LFS ). I hope you don't give up, I enjoy reading your posts even if I don't reply to many of them.

 

[Leonwillow]

Have you been to Pier Aquatics in Wigan? I'd highly recommend them. I've never had a problem with any fish I've got from there and the staff are super nice!!! They have tons of fantastic plecs at VERY reasonable prices. In fact I have never seen so many plecs. It's well worth the journey - I am there for hours. LOL

The three that died I got from a place in Bolton which I won't be going back to.

I haven't tried the place in Leeds.

 

[LisaLQ]

Thanks ever so much folks. Yep, they all came from my LFS, which I wont be using again as they're pretty crap (Fish People in Keighley - dont particularly care about naming them now I've lost £75 worth of fish).

The flash plec died from complications from the white spot he arrived with, some scarring and bacterial infection from flicking - it didn't help that my festivums liked to try and help "clean up" his wound. The gold nugget died presumably because he hadn't been acclimatised before I bought him (he was hollow, very very thin), so he died from starvation due to lack of gut flora. I'm presuming this little fella had a similar problem which although he fought bravely and put on weight, he still wasn't getting enough - it's the only thing I can think of. I know I'm partially to blame for buying them as soon as they arrived in store rather than asking them to keep hold of them for me, and I wont be making that mistake again. Or using that fish shop for fish again either (and I will let them know that too).

I cant get to Wigan I'm afraid, I cant really get to Leeds - I have joint problems in my pelvis and back, and spend 99% of my time on controlled pain relief, I rarely get to go to town let alone anywhere further. The pain is too much. Which is why I'm so attached to my pets, as I'm in 24/7 with no other life to speak of really. God this is getting depressing lol sorry. Now you guys know why I'm on the internet so much!

I think I need a superstrong dose of pks and a short trip out to Leeds, if I can manage it. It's so hard for me though as I'm in enough pain walking round the house, and as I dont drive I rely on public transport. Otherwise I'd have ditched the LFS long ago. To be honest, I swore I'd never get fish from them again, and yet when the L203 came in, I jumped at the chance knowing I'd never be able to get one otherwise. I was wrong, I was stupid and now I've paid for it.

I haven't decided whether I'm going to try again yet, but if I do I'm going to go to Leeds and ask them to hold one for me and quarantine it properly for me before buying it. That way I know I've covered everything. If that doesnt work, I wont add any more fish at all.

But to be honest today I dont really want to think about it as I was so happy yesterday seeing him so healthy and bright, to find him dead today was such a huge shock I've done nothing but cry all day - which I know is incredibly sad, but like I said, I'm really attached to my pets.

Sorry for boring you with my life's woes, it's just hard to explain why this tank means so much to me without telling you.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

awww Lisa your not boring us with your woe's at all.

I know how you feel, I have a really bad back and although I'm sure I'm nowhere near as bad as you I can understand how frustrating it can be not to be able to get around and how much the things that do keep you occupied end up meaning to you.

If there's any particular fish your interested in getting feel free to pm me, I don't mind nosing round fish shops to find it or i'm good mates with the people at paws for thought he'll order anything in for us and will happily keep it a few weeks so we know it's healthy. I don't mind a little trip out to drop them off for you if you like.

 

[Leonwillow]

Best of luck whatever you decide.

 

[Leonwillow]

Well you're not gonna believe this.

I have just had a shout from downstairs

'Dead Plec, Dead Plec' - my partner is not very tactful!!!!!!

Turns out my L333 is dead. This is the only other plec I have bought from Bolton (BAS). There is no way I am buying from there again. That's 4 I have bought and all 4 have died.

 

[Ferris]

I think you should stick with it Lisa, particularly given your circumstances - it sounds like its too important to give up on.

My neighbour is in a similar situation with Osteo-Arthritis and he loves his marine tank. He is devastated if any fish die but he always bounces back (after i've taken him to the LFS to get something new ).

I think a change of LFS, hopefully a new Plec and you'll be full of enthusiasm again.