Worried about my pleco!

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calpoly12

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 10, 2010
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Paso Robles, CA
My 7-8" pleco is a shy fellow, as most of them that I have seen are, and usually hides out in his castle all day with a suncat. Ever since I could remember he has only come out about fifteen minutes or so after I turn the light off. Even then he just cruises around the back of the tank and rarely comes to the front glass unless all my house lights are off. Lately however, he has been very active during the day. By this I mean that he has been on the back glass just hanging out and sometimes laying on the gravel in the front with his dorsal fin sticking up. About fifteen minutes ago I had my night time feeding for my cichlids giving them their usual "cichlid sticks". There was one or two that were left over and I was going to grab my net to scoop them out, but when I came back I saw my pleco attempting to eat one of them. I observed him for a minute and he finally gave up and swam back to the bottom. I dropped in an algae wafer and it landed in front of him, but he just ignored it.

So, my worries are that he is either starving :( or he is sick. My water is fine and he is in an 80g tank with cichlids and a sun cat. There is virtually no algae in the tank, whereas there was a long time ago when I got him. He did clean it up right away though. Anyway, 15 min after I turn off the light I drop in two algae wafers and sometimes I see him jump on it and other times I don't hang out long enough to see him eat it. This has been the ritual for quite some time.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and I hope to hear back soon!!!!!!!!
 
So he's letting himself be seen more than normal and showing pickiness about eating? Does he look thin or make white stringy poo? Sometimes behavioral changes and appetite shifts are due to a parasite. Otherwise, does he seem weak or confused? Any clear signs of sickness?
 
fecal matter seems to be normal, but I did have a case of ick about a month ago (completely cleared up now). He seems fully alert and attentive, just picky about eating. His weight isn't fluctuating either. Am I being paranoid?
 
Perhaps, but a little paranoia is usually a good thing. I'd just keep a close eye on him for a week or two and make sure he gets plenty of fresh veggies. All my plecos love zucchini and most new fish usually eat it the first time they see it.
 
will any zucchini do and should I leave it in over night or take it out after an hour or so?
 
Legomypleco;4656549; said:
I leave my zucchini in the tank for 24hr periods, and take it out if there is any left. (there usually isnt)
Click to expand...

Really? Everyone says its bad to leave the fruit in for longer than about 3 or 4 hours and I have been wondering how true that is. I usually leave the fruit in for a while until well....they eat it all :D
 
Get sinking pellets. Drop some in with his usual alage wafers. My plecos doubled in size after I started giving them cichlid pellets. But of course as previously mentioned make sure he gets plenty of fruits and veggies. Cucumber works well.
 
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