We have recently "adopted" a Pleco, I work for a rental company and someone left their fish and tank and it had been there for a week. I took the tank home but it was in bad condition the water was so nasty you could barely see the fish. Unfortunately the gold fish that was in there died the next day, but the Pleco made it. I have been doing some heavy research and we bought a new filter system because the other one was so crusted with filth to the point it could not be cleaned, and we purchased a fresh water test kit. The tank is balanced out now and the Pleco seems to be active and doing well other than it's poop. I have read different answers on threads and it's unclear to me if the Pleco has an issue. It's poop is a white color and has clear colored spaces in the strand. Is there something wrong or is this ok? I'm new to taking care of fish but took them in because I did not want to see them suffer. We have also replaced the gold fish with a new one (ornada goldfish) recently. I found out the tank that the previous owners had is actually to small so we have also purchased a new tank, I have not switched it yet as I am also trying to make sure I switch over to the new tank properly. If anyone can please give me some advice I would greatly appreciate it. My children have become quickly attached to the fish and I don't want to see this fish die.
Need help with Pleco
- Thread starter vbeck
- Start date
An ugly looking filter is often the best thing for a fish that has to be moved, because it is seasoned.
And means the tank may not need to be cycled, a new unicycled/perfectly clean tank and filter are often death sentences for fish.
Check other threads here about "cycling" your tank, and the nitrogen cycle, if this is a new concept to you. If not then you're OK, but it sounds, from your description, you don't know, and haven't considered cycling.
And means the tank may not need to be cycled, a new unicycled/perfectly clean tank and filter are often death sentences for fish.
Check other threads here about "cycling" your tank, and the nitrogen cycle, if this is a new concept to you. If not then you're OK, but it sounds, from your description, you don't know, and haven't considered cycling.
I'm also concerned with the possibility that the Pleco has a type of internal parasite. I have read that usually it's belly will look sunken in and I see no sign of that and I have not been able to find any consistent info if his strands of poo are ok. And if there is a type of internal parasite can it be passed to the other fish? I tried uploading a picture of the Pleco but I'm having issues with that.
The belly, and its color look fine to me, a fish with a fat belly is also "not " necessarily a healthy fish.
That said, the possibility of parasites are not out of line, but it is also probable that any new fish you add to its tank without quarantine could be carriers of all kinds of parasites and diseases, no matter where they come from.
Here is a shots of some I had, not that different.
That said, the possibility of parasites are not out of line, but it is also probable that any new fish you add to its tank without quarantine could be carriers of all kinds of parasites and diseases, no matter where they come from.
Here is a shots of some I had, not that different.
A heads up, many need to constantly gaze algae, in my tanks I always allow the algae to run rampant on all sides except the viewing panel.
Some also need water logged old wood as a part of their diet, so adding a seasoned, algae covered piece of driftwood can be very helpful.
And if you can get one from another aquarist , or from a tank in a store, this can help with jumpstarting the nitrogen cycle of a new tank.
And don't skimp on tank size, some species get quite large, some of mine have grown longer the 12".
Some also need water logged old wood as a part of their diet, so adding a seasoned, algae covered piece of driftwood can be very helpful.
And if you can get one from another aquarist , or from a tank in a store, this can help with jumpstarting the nitrogen cycle of a new tank.
And don't skimp on tank size, some species get quite large, some of mine have grown longer the 12".
We are doing the cycling process and read the threads on how to do it properly. The new tank is larger. The one the fish came in was only 16g and we purchased a 55g. I also added a piece of cucumber in the tank for the pleco and he seems to be enjoying that. I did not realize the different types of food that they could eat. He seems to be doing better and his "waste" is looking better. I'm hoping that with a proper diet now and proper tank size he will continue to do well. I appreciate the help and advice. Thank you! I didn't realize how much there was to learn until I adopted these fish into our home. We also bought driftwood for the tank as the other tank did not have a good set up for him/her.
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