HELP 911

[TankBuster]

I have a pleco that wont eat much anymore. For the past year it seems like he only eats enough to srvive, but I just saw him on the side of the tank and he is so sucked up. Thin as I have ever seen a fish. I fed him a chunk of zucchini and he just barely nips at it, but when I gave him a chunk yesturday, over night he ate it all. Someone told me he may have an internal worm eating it before he even gets the nutrition. Any help here would be appreciated. Any ideas on feeding or a medication that may help. Looks like he wont make it past the week. Out of 4 plecos, he is the only one like this and he is the only one that hides on the back wall, almost 24/7.

 

[ewurm]

Sounds like a parasite. When do you feed? I only feed my plecos after all lights are out. Only way they will eat.

 

[TankBuster]

Mine will eat whenever I drop food in, usually in the afternoon and at night. I use moonlights for feeding so I can see them.

 

[ewurm]

I just dropped some blood worms in my tank, I saw my GNP eat the food that fell in the mouth of his cave, but wouldn't venture out too far.

 

[TankBuster]

Try moonlights. It helps mine eat and keeps the puffer away from the food. I hope its not a worm or parasite thats doing this to him. Any medication ideas?

 

[guppy]

Sounds like a parasite, try target feeding with an antiparasite medicated food.

 

[TankBuster]

Ok, thanks Will try that.

 

[Daniel Machado]

May be an internal parasite. BTW, in any situation the plecos need more time to "fill up" with veggies than with sinking pellets or algae wafers. My 0.02

Best regards.

Daniel.

 

[fishnthings]

so whats the status on this guy?

 

[Vince]

what kind of pleco? some plecos like the panaques eat driftwoodwood. And some are carnivorous, eating only meat.