dead pleco ...

[dmann]

Recently (couple days ago), my pleco of about 2 weeks passed . Not really sure why he died??? since Ive heard plecos are pretty hardy fish.

I fed the little fellow an algae wafer every other night, and I had a good bit of algae on the tank glass for him to suck and dine on. So I was pretty sure he was eating right since the algae wafer were all gone by the time I woke up in the morning to check the tank out.

Anyway, the tank is 46 gallon with the inhabitants consisting of 4 platys, 1 white skirt tetra, 1 black skirt tetra, 1 dwarf gourami, and 4 cories. The tank is pretty new as I've had it up and running for about 6 weeks now. Anybody know why he may have died?

 

[snowyangel]

The tank is pretty new as I've had it up and running for about 6 weeks now. Anybody know why he may have died?

Have you tested your tank for ammonia and nitrites? How are your other fish? Did you add any salt(not reccomended for bottom feeders, plecos, scale less fish) recently?

 

[Max Action]

To survive, some types of plecos need driftwood to rasp on ... any driftwood in the tank?

Was his belly sunken when you got him? Sometimes plecos are sold while sick, and it's hard to get them to recover.

Or so I've read!

But since your tank is so new, I'd check levels first. Plecos are hardy, but I don't know that they're good for cycling tanks ...

 

[ryan]

I'd also check the parameters. Which species of Plec was it and did it have a sunken belly when you got it this could indicate internal parasites? Some species of Plecs will hardly touch algae and prefer a more meatier diet of bloodworms etc and bogwood as mentioned.

 

[dmann]

It was one of those common plecos. I got him from Petsmart. I haven't checked the parameters since I have yet to purchase a testing kit. But I'm pretty sure the parameters are fine as my other fish are alive and seem pretty healthy. Im not really sure if his belly was sunken or not.

 

[Fawke]

Whenever you purchase a new tank and add fish, it WILL go through the cycle.

Ammonia produced from the fishes gills and waste will peak in the tank causing stress to fish, and once bacteria has established itself in the substrate and filter it will convert to ammonia into Nitrite, which is equally as toxic, then the nitrafying bacteria establish themselves and turn it into Nitrate..... which is at the moment the least of your worries.

I dont mean to preach, but i went through exactly the same - knowing nothing of the cycle and slung a load of fish into a new tank. I had 2 casualties and the others managed to pull through. It took a good month of twice a day water changes to get them through it.
I am regretting not reading up on my stuff (and not finding this forum quicker) before setting up a new tank.

I would seriously invest in some Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH testing kits so you can get a good idea of what is going on in your tank.

If this is all under control then i apologise for sounding patronising.

A common plec was one of the fish that survived my cycle (although i wouldnt recommend it)....
So it could of been what one of the others said.
Keep an eye on those fishes....

Good luck, and keep us posted