Pleco's keep dying

[johnson5585]

Just an update. I got rid of the filter that was on the tank. I would have preferred to cycle a new one in but I thought maybe something had gotten in the filter that was causing the problem. I believe it was either not sufficient enough of a filter or it had something in it. I bought a AC 30 and put it on there and since then no problems. Water is crystal clear now and no fish are dying. YEAH. By the way I love AC filters. I am probly going to get a 20 or 29 gallon tank still for her for her b-day.

 

[wingate2581]

Nice to see you got things under control. I would consider myself to still be a newbie, but from other sources(aquarium fish international sept.2008) that I have read claims that chinese algae eaters actually dont eat much algae at all, and if you dont keep them well fed they will suck the slime coat off other fish. This particular article even stated "Personally I wish dealers would stop stocking this fish." Not saying that is my opinion, just something I thought you might find interesting.

 

[Allan01230]

Do you have salt in the tank? Plecos do not do well with salt!

 

[johnson5585]

I don't do salt in any of my tanks. And wont until I start a reef tank. Also wafers are now a part of diet. But I truly believe it had to do with the inefficiency of the filter that was on the tank. It started with plecos but many other fish died through the course and stopped once I changed the filter. Tank now only has some guppies, one danio, one rummy nose tetra, pleco and two snails..... my daughter loves snails.

 

[brisle nose]

OK, I have a small ten gallon tank (my daughters room tank) It has a couple of danios, a tetra, two golden algae eaters, and a small cat. I have now gone through two plecos in the past 2 weeks. One was a rubber lip (tried this one since they tend to stay smaller and a common. Both died in a matter of days. Both were acclimated prior to going into the tank and all water levels are at a normal level. Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, PH are all good. None of the fish seem to be ill. The plecos do not look at all beat up by cat which is the only one that I could think would even pose a threat at all. Could there be something that is poisoning the plecos. There is some algae build and is why I got one as the goldens do nothing but sit on the bottom most the time. The plecos get in the tank start going to town on the small amount of algae then are dead in a couple of days. So I know they are not starving as it is littleraly a couple of days. Is there any type of algae that can form in a tank and become deadly to a algae eater????? Not sure what is going on. Starting to think the tank is bad luck and should be replaced with a 20 (at least) I am beginning to hate tens as they seem to be harder to care for than my big tanks. Oh and yes water changes occur weekly.
Thanks

Hi first too many fish in such a small space. Shouid not keep more then 4+1 pleco. 2 you need to montour the ammonia level ammonia is the first thing that will kill plecos. Also you have to check the PH levels keeping a ph of 6.5-7.2 is best. They also like drift wood. And drift wood my lower your ph so check the ammonia and ph weekly. I wish you good fishing.

 

[brisle nose]

Hi first too many fish in such a small space. Shouid not keep more then 4+1 pleco. 2 you need to montour the ammonia level ammonia is the first thing that will kill plecos. Also you have to check the PH levels keeping a ph of 6.5-7.2 is best. They also like drift wood. And drift wood my lower your ph so check the ammonia and ph weekly. I wish you good fishing.

Also feed bottom feeders need only to be feed 1 small wafer every other day they will not starve. And common plecos are the best way to start but they will out grow a small tank with in a year or so.