HELP! Pleco Problem!

[cmsbthebest]

I actually like melafix, its not my first choice, but everytime I've used it, it has worked. I've never heard of melafix killing a fish so I can't really comment on that.

As for your pleco. Time, salt, and water changes (melafix is a plus too) should do the trick. Get rid of the aggressor and replace him with 2 bristlenose plecos. The pleco probably isn't eating because he's too stressed out, give it time.

 

[Cloudk]

No offense, but most of us think melafix is junk.

None taken . Put up a post on here about my injured oscar, not knowing what to do, and almost everyone said keep water clean, do salt and melafix. Follow directions. That's what I did and it worked wonderfully. But this is only my 2nd treatment using melafix. My limited experince is good. Makes my living room smell good too Problem is lots of different experinces, mean there's lots of opinions. Right now I'm doing research on wether plecos can be sensitive to salt. Some websites say you should cut it(both salt and melafix) in half, others say that everything is mild enough and there's no concerns. So, that's just an example of how much peoples opinions differ. Its complicated for us newbies! But I know from yrs of dealing w/ vets(traditional and holistic), that they use tea tree to heal wounds, and keep the bacteria at bay. So, I know the principal is sound, even used it on myself. But fish are different than dogs, cats, horses, birds, and reptiles. So idk about its impact on fish. That's why we all ask questions. Its confusing, but hopefully I'll be able to learn, w/o killing my pleco. Getting him some cucumber today. He has never really liked the wafers, so maybe cooked cucumber will tickle his fish fancy

 

[mshill90]

I would go with some raw zucchini, or a piece of raw tilapia.. they love both.

I have salted full dosage even with my fancys, and i have had no issues.

 

[Petahhd]

If he been injured that badly, then it's normal for him to not eat at the moment due to stress. but if you insist, then i believe a piece of cucumber would be accepted eagerly by most plecos. Post some pictures of him up so we can see the damage and perhaps give better advices.

 

[sungod666]

drop some aspirin in the water. this might sound crazy but i did used this method and some good quarantine to save a few seriously injured fishes

 

[smitty03281964]

Add some live black worms. My plecos love them.

 

[Cloudk]

Well, I think my pleco is dying. More than half of his right side is missing skin, and his sail is gone. Probably too muc stress. Now his eyes are cloudy, and he's looking kinda blah, so I poked him and nothing happened, no sail raised, no movement, nothing. Not floating, but I think he will be soon. Poor pleco. I hate this part of keeping animals. Guess it was worse than it looked.

 

[Chromobotia]

Well, I think my pleco is dying. More than half of his right side is missing skin, and his sail is gone. Probably too muc stress. Now his eyes are cloudy, and he's looking kinda blah, so I poked him and nothing happened, no sail raised, no movement, nothing. Not floating, but I think he will be soon. Poor pleco. I hate this part of keeping animals. Guess it was worse than it looked.

Sorry to hear that. Sounds like it is already gone if it didn't move.

 

[Dan F]

Sorry to hear it. It sounds like you made a valiant effort to save him - it is all we can do...

 

[Cloudk]

Its confirmed. He's passed. There's an odd haze of yuck around him. Plus, the water is starting to smell funky. Husband says "its just a stupid fish". Thanks dear, makes me feel much better
The pleco will b set outside to be sustanance for another animal, gotta continue the cycle. Uhhh, yea, he's definatly dead. Took him out, smelled asolutely horrible, and weird brown liquid dripped out of him all over my floor. And his skin came off onto my fingers. Well, I tried. Still sad though. Got more melafix for next time(there'll always be one).