Internal Bacterial Problems In Plecos

[chishnfips]

I heard that in order to keep your plecos nice and healthy you are best to dose them with an internal bacteria formula every 6 months or so, as they are prone to getting infections from the wood the chew on, has anyone heard of this.... I am wondering if it had anything to do with my pleco dying.

cheers chish

 

[LisaLQ]

Never heard that one. I'm of the firm belief you shouldn't treat fish unless they are actually suffering from something (with the exception of worming some species of fish - but even so, not personally had to do that with plecs either).

 

[chishnfips]

yeah it was new to me, thats why I posted here to see what evreyone else reckons.

 

[smithrc]

once your plecs are over the first couple of months following import - you should be home and dry.

I never treated any of ours for internal problems - let alone doing it for the sake of it...

Id rather not risk complications of treatments if there are no signs of any problems...

 

[Coomon10]

Never heard that one. I'm of the firm belief you shouldn't treat fish unless they are actually suffering from something (with the exception of worming some species of fish - but even so, not personally had to do that with plecs either).

Hi LisaLQ

Can i ask the 'some' species are and what you would use?

TIA

 

[chishnfips]

cheers smith rc, are plecos generally prone to internal infections?

 

[LisaLQ]

Never heard that one. I'm of the firm belief you shouldn't treat fish unless they are actually suffering from something (with the exception of worming some species of fish - but even so, not personally had to do that with plecs either).

Hi LisaLQ

Can i ask the 'some' species are and what you would use?

TIA

Cant say I've ever had to do it - the other species I meant were discus - I've not kept them but read they sometimes need worming. Course, any fish can carry internal parasites, but I still wouldn't treat it for them unless I was fairly sure that's what the problem was. If there's no symptoms, and the fish is healthy, why fix what isn't broken?

 

[smithrc]

cheers smith rc, are plecos generally prone to internal infections?

Newly imported young plecs do have quite a high mortality rate... its not just internal infections that cause problems.
Parasites are relatively common too - causing all sorts of internal problems and death.

Thats why people recommend quarantining new fish. rather than risk that I don't buy plecs straight after import...
If I'm interested I get the store to hold them for me for at least a few weeks.
Most stores round me know me well enough for it not to be a problem

 

[paulf]

Personally, I would not only (and do) treat any new inmates, especially if they are wild caught with a course of Number 9 and flubenol 15. Some might see it as adding meds for the sake of it, I see it as why taake the chance?