rescued skinny pleco, feeding advice

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
jeremoose said:
Common plecos do just fine in water as cool as 67F, my question is: where did the REST of you get your information?
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That can still be considered tropical water temp. You do realize that plecos come from Central/South America... in Tropical environments don't you?

Here a simple link. http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=88

Show me one of yours(link) that says a plecos can survive in 49 degrees(non Tropical)
 
Whats tropical and cold water to you? Last time I checked 67° is a tropical temperature

jeremoose said:
Common plecos do just fine in water as cool as 67F, my question is: where did the REST of you get your information?
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Sent from Note 2 mini computer
 
The pleco may be in too poor a shape to want to eat anything unnatural to them. I think it may need to be stimulated or enticed to eat to gain some weight and back to health. Try veggies like David R said, or try some live black worms. Live black worms is my goto food for very sick fish or picky eaters that just came in.
 
I may have gotten a reaction out of him last night with a small peice of silverside fish, he was over it wiggling his body. But I think its still a no go for flakes, shrimp pellets, wafers, hikari pellets, and granules.

I dont know of any place that has live black worms. Ill try some veges tonight and see if that helps, maybe look for a worm outside tonight as well. Would be alot easier if I could shoot food into his stomach.

I also increased the temp from 73 to I think 76, ill check the thermo again tonight, maybe that will spark him a bit.
 
Plecos are generally grazers, I haven't seen some of mine eat in over a year. Part of the reason I suggested veges is so you can leave them in the tank over night when the fish is going to be most likely to eat, while the lights are off and no one is watching. Food like flake and shrimp pellets will break down fairly quickly when left in the tank, which could have a detrimental effect on your water, where as a piece of sweet potato will still be solid in the morning if uneaten.

You're not feeding flipper the dolphin, I don't think many plecs would take a piece of fish from your hand!
:D
 
water quality isnt a problem, its changed 100% daily. I put a slice of red potato with a fork in there. I see poop........... tmw is another day
 
you guys think it would be ok for the pleco to be moved to the 55 gallon rather than being watched in the 5 gal? In my mind he would have alot more area to swim/hide in the 55. Myabe becoming more "active"? The 55 is only stocked with 1 minnow, 1 3.5" bluegill and a 5-6" syno decorus.
 
5g and changing the water 100% is definitely not doing him any favors. He most likely will be doing better in the larger tank, but there are couple things you do need to put into consideration.

1. He's in a very poor shape to compete for food, so you do need to have food leftover after the lights go out. Even then, he may be too spooked to come out. Keep everyone well fed, so they don't bother the pleco and give him a chance eat some leftovers.
2. He may introduce undesirables into the bigger tank, parasites, worms, whatnot. If you really are considering moving him into the large tank, observe everyone very carefully for a while, at any sign of disease, either add salt and raise temp, or remove carbon and medicate.
 
I never said non-tropical, I suppose I should clarify. I was under the impression they did best in sub-typical temperatures, under 71.

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