I got this from another forum but thought I'd share this. Anyone notice their plecos mainly fancy ones panting or breathing hard. My large 10 inch l-114 was doing this. It was in an 80 with 2 other L-114's an L-14 a bristlenose and 8 adult mascara barbs. I read that plecos need large amounts of O2. Also a large bioload will cause nitrate buildup hence clogging the hemoglobin from transporting oxygen through the plecs bloodstream. I sold off 5 of the barbs and kept a trio of largest 2 males and 1 female. Also gave my neice 2 of the small L-114's. So my L-114 is in with a 5 inch L-14 and a 3 inch bristlenose and the 3 mascara barbs. Result is he is on the move more and barely see him breathe except when eating. He is the main fish in the tank anyway so I will definately keep this tank stocked lightly. Sorry for the long post.
Fancy pleco breathing hard?
- Thread starter Allan01230
- Start date
Allan01230;3971666; said:
Pleco breathing hard is might not necessary be lack of O2.. but its one of the issues..if ur tank is not well oxygenate.. then the plecos will be in trouble... The issue is that pleco are bottom dwellers..... so the water have to be moving at all times to create well oxygenate water..
Even if u have a large amount of pleco.. in ur tank.. as long as theres enough oxygen.. the plecos will do just fine.... I make sure that my tank with pleco has an AC110 in addition to other filters.. that waterfall effect that ac110 makes gives the best result of a well oxygenate tank..
The other issue that pleco breathing heavily has to do with parasite disease.. This is usually caused by ick or velvet.... which can stress a pleco to the point where they stave themselves and die...
Also.. In the summer time.. make sure your tank gets enough oxygen or enough ventilation so oxygen does not get evaporated... I've witness my own plecos struggling for air and going to the surface just to breath...
So make sure to lower the heater in summer and do freaken water changes to ensure the water quality is clean.
Actually have 2 aquaclear 110's and an air stone on my 80.Lots of water movement. I just noticed the the plecos breathing is not laboured when I took out some of the other livestock. Now have 6 fish in an 80.