L001 not acting normal

[dontgetbit]

I have an L001 pleco that I aquired with a tank that I purchased on CL. It was in a 20g tall when I got the tank and is around 6-7". For the past 10 months it has been in my 55g tank with a Jack Dempsey that is around 9" now. The pleco was always hiding while in the 20g and things did not change in my 55g. It stays under a rock cave all day and on the glass once the lights go out.

I have seen the JD chase the pleco if it moved during the day but have no idea what goes on at night. Today I noticed the pleco out in the middle of the tank on the sand and was worried it was dead. However, when I put my hand in the tank it raised its sail but did not move off quickly. It appears its sail is damaged as well as his tailfin.

I do not want to lose such a nice looking pleco, but the JD may just be too much for it. Is there any hope for the sailfin and tailfins to heal if I put it in a QT tank and use meds? The pleco has not grown in almost a year of having it. Could the time the previous owner had it in the 20g have stunted its growth?

 

[matubula]

It's possible the fish is stunted but not all fish will grow to their potential. The damaged parts of the fins will heal/grow back without meds if the tank is 'clean' enough, if the JD is persistent then a QT might be necessary. I feel the JD will not stop harassing the plec, my dad had one that eventually killed a good sized plec. Somethings got to give.

 

[jbarbaresi]

yes as long as your water parameters are good a pleco's fins will heal in the matter of a couple days, provided the JD leaves him alone. he is probably stunted from being in the 20g for so long.

 

[Laticauda]

Can you add more rocks/hidind spaces where the JD can't access.

I have to make small areas where my goldfish can't reach in order for the plecos to get any food. Goldfish eat everything, and don't give the plecos a chance. Either this or give away the fish, or buy another tank specifically for this fish.

Some people use the large sterilite/rubbermade tubs for quarantine/hospital/in a pinch tanks. I think this is a viable option for you.

 

[dontgetbit]

Well I was hoping to move the pleco to a temp hospital tank and heal its fins. However, when I returned home from this evening I found a motionless pleco in the middle of the tank. I was actually in the process of adding a pipe/cave for it to hide in and when I attempted to get it to move into the cave it would not move.

RIP to the runt pleco

I have no idea how old it was, but I had it for a year. I hope it was nothing that may spread to my other fish, as it was a quick turn of events and death.