What else can I check right now? Help, please. :(

[SHilo]

Jack Dempsey (who I'm pretty sure is crossed with a convict though that's a guess on my part) he is five years old and the 'boss' of my tank. I couldn't see him earlier and found him hiding in a corner. He is now at the top of the water, 'bouyant' but not floating by any means. Still has strength but there is definitely something wrong. If he comes out of his 'corner' the other two biggest fish of the tank chase him, one of which is a Jack Dempsey of the same size and has been struggling on and off with him for tank dominance for a while and the other a female blood parrot who has been his mate ever since I put her in the tank over two years ago.

The only other oddity I see is my Plecostamus has spent alot of today at the top of the water today when he usually only does that after feeding time. Everyone looks healthy otherwise. I have tested the nitrite, ammonia and pH and everything came out perfect.

Is there anything else I could be looking for? I really don't want to lose him.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pcfriedrich]

welcome. you didn't mentioned you tested for nitrite and ammonia, but not nitrate. did you just forget to mention nitrate?

what size tank, and are there any other tankmates?

how often do you do waterchanges?

what you are describing sounds to me like you have an aggression issue. maybe the Blood Parrot joined in on the dominance struggle.

it sounds like one or more of your fish are bullying your JD and Pleco into submission.

 

[SHilo]

No I didn't forget, I just don't have the test, unfortunately. It's a 230G.
Other tank mates are:

1 red devil
1 venustus (sp?)
2 albino tinfoil barbs - I know, I know but they've lived fine in there for 4 years.
2 catfish
2 other plecos
1 Gar

I could see the bullying for the JD but the pleco isn't hiding and he's about 12 inches.
Also, the two other plecos and one of the catfish I just added 3 days ago.

 

[pcfriedrich]

Could it just be stress from the added fish?

the JD definately sounds like he's got bullied fish syndrome. Red Devils have been known to bully fish larger than themselves. the pleco could be stressed and/or displaced by the addition of the other two bottom feeders.

I'm guessing its not illness or anything with your water.

what is your water change schedule?

 

[SHilo]

I'm hoping that's what it is and things will be more normal by morning. I know what you mean about the RD's. I don't like them much myself but this one was brought to me by a friend who was told it was a chocolate cichlid when she bought it. He can definitely be a jerk but doesn't usually pick on the either JD's or the BP. If all this is from being bullied I'd say it's definitely from the other JD. He's sitting on the other side of the plant that he's hiding behind and has been there for a while now. Not letting him come out I'm assuming. It's kinda pissing me off, actually, lol, cause even when he was 'boss' he was never mean to anyone, really. I wanna chase him away.

The pleco could very well be feeling displaced, your right. But what's with the sucking at the top of the water? Like right now he is straight up and down, nose at the top of the water.

I really only do top ups, which usually ends up being about once a month. Actual water changes with this tank are pretty rare.

 

[Tongue33]

Could your other two agressors have paired up? Do they look like they have picked a spot or are protecting a certain area of the tank together?

 

[pcfriedrich]

yesterday, I saw my pleco sitting belly up on the surface. I thought he must be dead. turns out, he was sucking food from surface (that my GT refuses to eat).

 

[pcfriedrich]

I really only do top ups, which usually ends up being about once a month. Actual water changes with this tank are pretty rare.

you should do waterchanges more often. its the only to remove nitrates from the water (unless your tank is very heavily planted, anyway).

vacuum that gravel, too!

 

[SHilo]

The BP was his mate and in fact just had eggs yesterday which they were protecting together. Both of them are hanging around the plant that the 'bullied' and 'former boss' is behind, but the JD is really sticking around there more and is watching him very closely. I wish I could put a seperation in the tank just for the night so I know he's not going to get beat to hell overnight when I go to bed.

 

[SHilo]

yesterday, I saw my pleco sitting belly up on the surface. I thought he must be dead. turns out, he was sucking food from surface (that my GT refuses to eat).

Yes mine does this too. But usually only after feeding time.