Pleco healthy?

[Deadeye]

Have you tested your water?

No

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

71-80%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every two weeks

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

I got a bn pleco 2 weeks ago, he looked healthy then. He has been looking visibly thin over the past few days, like this:

Hard to tell in the pic, but it is noticeable.
Is he just running out of algae to munch on or is there another problem. I haven’t seen white stringy poop (but haven’t seen any poop, in the bag from the store it was all normal).
He is acting normal, cruising on the glass hunting for algae all day.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

I got a bn pleco 2 weeks ago, he looked healthy then. He has been looking visibly thin over the past few days, like this:
View attachment 1469163
Hard to tell in the pic, but it is noticeable.
Is he just running out of algae to munch on or is there another problem. I haven’t seen white stringy poop (but haven’t seen any poop, in the bag from the store it was all normal).
He is acting normal, cruising on the glass hunting for algae all day.

May be a parasite or he is having trouble getting algae, try feeding algae wafers directly to him and if that does nothing then it issue is probably parasitic

 

[kno4te]

I’d try adding some food into the tank specifically for the bn. Instead of letting it hunt/forage for food. Could be out of algae to eat.

 

[Deadeye]

I’d try adding some food into the tank specifically for the bn. Instead of letting it hunt/forage for food. Could be out of algae to eat.

I was thinking that. Ever since I cleaned the tank, the algae hasn’t come back to the glass. He never seems to go to the rocks and plants though (which are covered). I’ll start routinely adding algae wafers and other foods for him.
If that doesn’t work should I try isolating and feeding hex shield?

 

[Rocksor]

I was thinking that. Ever since I cleaned the tank, the algae hasn’t come back to the glass. He never seems to go to the rocks and plants though (which are covered). I’ll start routinely adding algae wafers and other foods for him.
If that doesn’t work should I try isolating and feeding hex shield?

What brand of algae wafers?

 

[Deadeye]

What brand of algae wafers?

I have the tetra min ones.

 

[Deadeye]

As some diatoms grew in, I’m happy to report he’s looking fatter, sorry for the crappy pic:

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Nice.

 

[fishguy1978]

I feed my plecos Bug Bites Pleco formula, Sera Wood chips and then what ever sinking pellets I happen to have in the fish room. You can also feed them fresh zucchini, squash or melon rind. They on occasion will feed on dried sea weed which you can find in most Asian Markets. Look for sushi wrap seaweed that is just dried with no seasoning.

 

[Niki_up]

You definitely need to add food for him. BN are another one of those fish that get suggested for algae clean up but they don’t actually eat that much algae and the way usually end up starving bc they are not provided with adequate food.

Definitely try adding algae wafers, zucchini, and even some protein pellets that sink. Don’t go over board with the protein bc that can cause bloat but once a week won’t hurt anything!