Hiding Pleco

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LeToastaire

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 31, 2008
45
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New England
Hey

Along with the huge pleco I have pics of in my other thread, I also have a pleco that, when I got him, I was told had never left his flower pot. The previous owner said that he had never, not once, ever, seen this fish outside of the flower pot he hides in all day, and so far neither have I.

With any other pleco that I've had, if they hid all day, I could find them at night scouring the walls and the bed of the tank for food, but not this guy. I think he may be scared of the big common, and I was considering moving him into a smaller tank (10gal), I thought I'd ask if anyone here had had this similar experience. The pleco is somewhat large, maybe 5-6 inches? I can't tell because he is curled up. He is dark with large white or yellow spots covering him, and a seemingly thick body. Pictures are useless because of his position in the tank, however if it becomes apparent that I need them, I will try and take some more.

I can't even make him leave the pot, no matter how hard I try. I've picked it up, shaken it, emptied the water out and held him above the water, and stuck my hand in to pull him but I'm afraid I'll get stuck by his dorsal fin.

Anyway if anyone has a similar experience, give me some advice or just share you story. Thanks.
 
I don't really know what you should do, but messing with him will only hurt. He is hiding probably because he is scared of you, and when you shake his pot and disturb him he will just become even more unwilling to come out.

Actually, I had a pleco die on me a couple of weeks ago when I first got him. He stayed super still the first day but moved when I wasn't watching and on the second day I thought he was just staying super still again, but when I poked him he didn't move. He had probably been dead for a few hours before I knew. I felt really stupid (and sad). how long have you had the fish (like a matter of days), and have you ever seen it move even just a little. It seems, and I could be wrong, that sometimes plecos don't show all the normal signs of being dead, which I guess might have to do with their thick skin.
 
I've got to assume he's afraid of something... and to answer your question yeah I've seen him move around. Sometimes his tail hangs out of the pot and you can see him repositioning himself, and if I shine a light into this cave he moves a little.

I've heard that plecos can be territorial, so maybe once I give the big common away he will become less shy. Oh well he's still healthy for now... I toss food in his pot to keep him eating.

Thanks for the responses.
 
wow that is very strange
all mine come out and say hello every time i go up too the tank
feed them some vege''s try pumpkin
just make the little guy less stressfull if possible
but yeh im unsure sorry cant really be help
:(
 
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