Help My Plec (photos Included)

[WILDER]

I don't think tokis meant it like that, some members don't feed plecs as they want them to clear the algae up, this is wrong as they need a varied diet.
Look your plec up and find there diet needs.
I would get him some algae tablets.
I would add a bacterial med to his tank as he does have some bacteria infections.
But to be honest got to find the root why he is so thin.
And yes get that tank for him as he needs to be issolated.
Good luck.

 

[Torrean]

she asked about the feeding because a lot of people don't realize plecs need certain foods like veggies or algae tabs. I'm sure she meant no offense. I wish you luck.

 

[WILDER]

Forgot I would boil some frozen peas for a few minutes, let cool down, pop out of shell, mush between fingers and add to the tank.

 

[black angel]

If hes had it a while then you may want to consider skinny disease which is explained here.

Mycobacteriosis
Fish tuberculosis or mycobacteriosis is also a common disease. The agent, Mycobacterium marinum, is a rod-shaped, gram positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium1. Fish are infected by ingesting the bacteria in unpasteurized food or through abrasions in the skin. Snails often harbor the bacteria.

Symptoms of Mycobacteriosis:
o listlessness; the fish may isolate itself from other fish and refuse to eat
o emaciation; hence, the name "skinny"
o skin ulcers
o spinal curvature
o pigment change
o grey-white nodules in internal organs

Definitive diagnosis should be made by a pathology lab. There is no known effective antibiotic to treat mycobacteriosis. Some level of disease control can be obtained by eliminating sick fish, by sterilizing tanks routinely and all equipment that comes in contact with the fish or the tank water, and by reducing stress caused by moving fish between tanks or by changes in temperature, water flow, or feeding regimen.

A word of caution regarding fish tuberculosis: Some cases of transfer of fish tuberculosis to humans has been documented. Precautions should be taken by wearing disposable gloves and washing hands with betadine (providone iodine) when handling sick fish. Persons with immuno-deficiency problems should not handle fish with TB.

Other diseases that occur less frequently include raised scales, tumorous eyes, and hemorrhages. In these instances, remove the diseased fish as soon as they are seen and clean the tank.

Reference: Post, G. (1987) Textbook of Fish Health, T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ, pp. 228.

 

[courageous_stumbling]

oh ok - I thought he was saying I starved the poor thing! Doh, I guess it was a stupid thing to think, I've just never heard of people NOT feeding plec to use as a glorified vacuum! And you know how forums can be! So my sincere appologies for getting all angry.
I've seen algae tablets on Ebay before - I'll order some tonight and buy at the shop if i find there tomorrow.
Im worried that maybe the Dude (big plec = 9") is being cruel because now I think about it he has been a bit more active recently and I actually thought they were "getting it on" it didnt seem particularly viscious, more like chasing. But I work alot so I dont see them all the time so I suppose it could be fighting. If this is the case do I have to seperate them permenantly? Im thinking it could be because the Janitor has had growth spurt and maybe he's more of a threat? I would give one away if it meant they survive. Im not kidding when I say I love my fish, like most people do their dogs. I watch them and get to know them, Im sure you can understand what I mean.... I did have to get my dog put down when he was 17, it was the kindest thing to do - but it was done properly and by a professional - I just cant see how one would kindly kill a fish? If it come to that - what would I have to do? PLEASE be nice in your description, I can hardly believe im even asking but if you guys all say its the right thing to do and he gets worse I can get someone to do it for me, but I dont want him flushed or hit or anything brutal at all. Im thinking you're talking about a poison? I can't see how there's a right way to do it.
Thanks again for all your help, it means a great deal to me that your helping me.

 

[black angel]

I would seperate him first into his own tank or tub and he may get better. At night when the plecs are active you cant see whats going on but two large plecs in a tank will get aggressive if they cant find their own territory.
He may or may not have a disease per say but he is getting ill and you need to start with the simple solutions first.
So I would find him a temporary home and try and feed him up and keep the water as clean as you can.

As for the potato you can wash it first before it goes in to remove the starch and he should find it.

 

[courageous_stumbling]

Cool, okay.... *fingers crossed*

So fresh water in the little tank and add some water safe so I can put him in straight away?

Theres plenty big hiding places in my tank but the two of them have been like close friends for years now, always lying together and swiming together so Im thinking maybe the Janitor doesnt understand that the Dude doesnt want him around anymore? Never once have I seen the Janitor go for the Dude.

I'll need to remember to get a bag to climatise him for the tank change.

Goodnight and many, many thanks!

 

[dwarfgourami]

Also, try to tempt his appetite with a piece of cucumber or courgette (zucchini).

 

[courageous_stumbling]

Woman at pet store poo poo'd the quarentine tank idea - said the stress would be too much and plecs REALLY need a mature tank and filter. So she gave me anti internal bacteria, safe guard (she said its like yakult for fish) and algae tablets. I've turned the filter off and put in the medicine. I only had a hour and she took so long to read through all the instructions etc that I didnt have time to buy the tank anyway but now Im a bit annoyed as it would have been handy to get anyway, it was only £24 for a one foot tank. He's the right way up still and I put an algae tablet beside him, I'll watch to see if he eats it - if not I've got some pea's at the ready.

She said she'd never heard of septecemia or fish TB but looked it up and said that couldnt be it. I wasnt sure if she knew so much about them so I spoke to another assistant who actually kept plecs herself and she also warned against putting him another tank.

So many different opinions! I know he hates to be caught in the net though, he's a real struggler so I'm glad to leave him in the tank for now. I have a day off tomorrow so I can watch him all day and I can go to the local shop in the town 3 miles away if I need a little tank. She was trying to get me to put him a a breeding net, but I already have one and he wouldnt have ANY room to move - thats no way to keep a fish, right?

He seems to be a bit more stable and keeping his colour better - I'm hoping he takes a nibble of the algae tablet, give him some strength to fight this.

Thanks again - Fiona.

 

[WILDER]

Look under septicemia and fish tb.
http/www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm

 

[Neal]

Couldn't it be something to do with any chemicals you have been adding? As some things aren't suppose to be put into tanks that have scaleless fish, and plecs are scaleless. I know you said you have only been putting things in for him, but maybe it was the treatment before that, it could of burnt him. I'm sorry if I seem like i'm having a go at you or trying to say your not looking after him properly. But it's just a suggestion, I don't even know if it's true, I just wanted to make some people think incase you are putting something in that's not meant for scaleless fish, and if you are, don't beat yourself up about it, it's an easy mistake. The only thing i've read about it on my meds is on my whitespot treatment, and it says only use half a dose if you have scalesless fish, as it can burn them.

Neal

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I have another plec (The Dude) thats the same as him but bigger and he's too lazy to cause any problems, he can give him a nudge now and then but I couldn't believe this would be his work. And he is in perfect health, they eat nutrafin tropical fish flakes, some bloodworm pellets and nutrient pellets that I bought from the local fish shop (they come on clear bags so I cant tell you much more than that, sorry)
I've never lost a fish in this manner and he does look a bit thinner than normal but he's always had a much bigger head than normal proportions, its the way he grows I think. (He's grown quite alot recently)

@Tokis-Phoenix - OF COURSE i feed my fish - why on Earth would you think I wouldnt?!?!?! I'm sorry but I dont understand why you asked if I feed my fish anything at all? Implying I dont care for my fish is a bit redundant in a thread where I'm asking for help to cure him! Anyways I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me about Pimafix and I'll ask about it tomorrow.

I'll be first to admit Im not up to all the technical stuff about fish I know how to do the general maintenance an aquarium of fish requires but I come to you asking for help because this one is beyond me and I want to learn all I can to try to help him - so thanks again for all your time in replying to my post. I've kept fish for over 10 years (since I was 13) this is the worst thing I've seen. However, he's looking alot better today, the white on his back has retreated and he's swimming upright round the bottom of the tank, I've seen him take at least 5 spurts which is more than normal for him. Couldnt get a spare tank today but I have an hour to play with tomorrow so I'll be heading into the big pet store in Aberdeen.

septiceamia and TB both seem right from what Im reading of the symtoms - I'll do a bit more research tonight. The tank is actually due for a change of water but I wasnt keen on putting the Janitor (my plec) through the distress. Would I be better to change it to clean up the water?

His anus looks normal and I've not seen him go to the toilet recently, I'll try the potato but wont the starch get into the water and cause problems? How do I feed him a slice, just place beside him? How long can I leave it in there?

No other fish have ever had these symptoms.

Truly, thank you all for your time! I appreciate it.

As others have mentioned, the reason why i asked if you feed the pleco anything in particular was because a lot of people buy these fish to clean algae up in their tanks and don't feed the fish until it cleans the algae completely.
This can lead to malnutrition though, as there are few pleco's which can live off algae completely. I was not implying you don't care for your fish at all, i was just asking a basic question that needs to be asked, so please don't go throwing around accusations like that .

 

[black angel]

You should never switch the filter off either. The bacteria will die off and the filter will need to cycle again.
If you want to listen to the shop then thats up to you but we arent selling anything.

 

[emmzer]

hi just want to put my 2 pence in not that it will help that much lol...i agree with above u never ever turn ya filter of this will cause more distress to ya fish and after a power cut that i didnt notice till the morning i lost 3 fish...so please never turn of ya filter as far as meds and a filter u should only remove the actiuve carbon if u have that in it... algea tabs r excellent my plec loves them but do it when the lights r off...dont ask me why just been told...and all i can say is that it seems yr pet shop lady does not appear to know much...a new tank may be best all i can say is weilder is excellent in an emergergency i tust his advise emesly
take care
oh and as for euthaniseing the ice water works the best i have found