Clown Pleco Not Very Active

[Maxta]

I bought two at the end of last week.

Fair does theyre in a much smaller aquarium than they need, but thats already taken care of (tank on its way ).

Usually one hangs around the bogwood for most the day, and the other on or around my filter or in the cave. Now i dont see a problem with the one on the bogwood, as i see him move often, even if its just slightly. But the other, since yesterday morning he has situated himself on top of the filter and has never moved (to the best of my knowledge) from there since, unless its his favorite spot now, and he moves during the night and gos back up there during the day, but i dont know.

At times iv thought he was dead, but iv seen a few brief tail movements. I stuck a ruler in just prior to this post and put it next to him and gently touched him to get his attention, and he moved to the side of the filter out of reach, and immediately went back to the top of it again when i removed the ruler.

Has he just found a spot he likes? Or is he lazy? Or is he innactive possibly because of a problem? Im guessing both arent that very old, theyre only about 3.5/4cms long.

I know theyre more active during the night when the lights are off, but the other one moves about during the day. Plus the fact this one im concerned about was in the same position as yesterday, unless, as i said earlier, he moves during the night and then gos back up there.

Is this usual?

Iv only put algae wafers in twice, once on friday, and once today. Only going to put in twice a week. And i put a cucumber in usually every other day. They also feed on the catfish pellets that i put in for my corys, they seem to like that, but i cant help that otherwise id be starving my poor cats.

I will check later on in the night when all lights are off to see if theres any movement from the little fellow.

Dont know about clown plecos so thought id ask Any advice or information will be gladly taken

 

[Maxta]

Hes moved

 

[Teelie]

I have found most plecs are not very active at all except at night or during feeding. My Candy Stripe is usually tucked away under some wood or hiding in back except when it's feeding time. My Bristlenoses with the except of my large male (who is guarding a clutch), usually just hang out in the open on the wood or near one of the hiding places I made for them.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hm i would get some more wood, even though clown plecos are sociable with each other, they can also be a little territorial at times especially if they are having to share the same peice of wood and don't particularly like each other. Its posible that the one near the filter is only there because its been kicked of the wood by the other pleco; i had a similar thing recently where one of my clown plecos was just sitting by the filter and not doing much, but after i re-organised the wood in the tank and added a little more it stopped hanging around next to the filter and started exploring and eating the wood in the tank with the other clown plecos like it should do .

 

[Maxta]

Thanks will do when i get my bigger tank. Thing is though, he used to always hang around the cave, as if he claimed that as his territory.

Funny thing was, during the early hours of this morning i checked and they were both on top of it

Maybe its a good spot i dont know

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Yeah if you can construct caves made out of peices of driftwoord/bogwood/mopani wood then that is the best type of habitat for clown plecos, they are not fussy about planting, just make sure you have good filtration and plenty of wood for them to eat and they'll do fine . Every now and then, its good to drop in an algae wafer as they like a bit of algae in their diet on top of the wood too in their diet, meatier foods like cooked prawns or large bloodworms are also good is fed once every week or couple of weeks.

 

[Maxta]

What about coconut caves? I ordered five for my dad a couple of days ago and was planning to pinch a few. They are these:

I ordered two of #1, two of #4, and one of #3. Was planning taking 2 of them from my dad. Would the plecos like them? Ordered them primarily for my cory cats, but if the plecos will like them well why not

 

[beechey]

my is also seems very lazy and also has its favorite spot all it does all day is munch on the bog wood, he is a right fat S*IT

 

[Maxta]

lol.

 

[Maxta]

My innactive one passed away today

Dont even think i had him for a week. Maybe its not my fault, my gf said that the bloke at the store had trouble getting him, and that he squashed it against the glass practically. I didnt see this, but maybe this could have been a cause of death.

Shame, bought the bigger tank as they required it, still one remaining and hes in good shape, having fun with the back of the tank as i speak.

RIP

 

[Teelie]

What did the belly look like? I got a Candy Stripe with almost nothing for a stomach. So thin you could see the ribs. I managed to get it back to healthy with some fresh cucumber and squash as well as algae wafers. I've seen more than a few plecs near starvation in shops before because of inadequate feeding.

 

[Maxta]

Dont know. Definately had a stomach though, wasnt thin.