Lost Our Magnum Pleco

[stang1]

We had a disaster with our tank the other day and not sure what caused it. The filter had become clogged and we think there was very little oxygen in the tank. Unfortunately we didn't notice this until the morning.
Our Green Phantom Pleco was virtually on his back and our Pictus were at the top of the tank struggling. We immediately did a water change and sorted the filter out which seemed to do the trick. The Nitrite reading was about 0.25 but it's clear now after another water change.
Since this has happened we have not seen our Magnum Pleco at all. We have moved some of the wood and slate but there is no sign of him. We haven't stripped the tank completely as we don't want to disturb the other fish, but we have had a good search for him.
Could he have died due to our tank problem and if so would there be any remains?
Any help greatly appreciated,
Angie

 

[xingumike]

I would find him just to make sure. If it has passed on then a rotting carcass in the tank will not be helping the water quality issues caused by the filter clogging (i assume the filter wasn't clogged with the mango?).

If it was only a day or so i would expect to find some trace of him (dependant on tankmates of course)

good luck and fingers crosssed he is being a typical plec and staying well hidden but still swimming

 

[stang1]

He wouldn't fit in the filter even though he was only small. Tankmates include Pictus and Pearl Catfish, Bristlenose, Peckoltia L205, Green Phantom Pleco and a Snowball Pleco.
It happened about 4 or 5 days ago and admittedly we weren't too worried as he does like to hide, but never for this long. We've checked the tank and can't find anything but we did gravel vac when we did the water change.

 

[Bex]

Hey Stang1

You'd be amazed the tiny gaps plecs can get into. And how big plecs can totally disappear and you think "where the hell have they gone?" We've got a fairly large Chocolate Albino Common and we hardly ever see him. He gets in his coconut cave and manages to sit upside down at the top of it so you can't see him at all.

Is there any food that would tempt him out? Most of my plecs come out for a nice juicy prawn or a bit of cucmber. If he still doesn't appear, you're going to have to try picking stuff up and moving stuff to see where he's got to. You really don't want a dead pleco upsetting your water in case the others get sick. You've got some lovely plecs too! He may even have got himself wedged somewhere so perhaps you should just start moving stuff anyway?

Hope you find him!

 

[stang1]

Hi Bex, hope all is well?
I lifted some of the wood and slate and still no sign of him. We've tried putting cucumber in the tank but still nothing. We've decided to strip the tank down as best we can tomorrow in the hope that we find him!

 

[Spike_ea_2k6]

good luck, hopefull hes hideing somewhere good

 

[LisaLQ]

Aww no, I hope he's hiding somewhere - will keep my fingers crossed for you. Our BN Mr Spoon has also gone missing, in a 6ft planted tank we can go days without seeing him, but it's been about a week now and I've been watching intently (well, as much as I can with the kids to look after!). I'm hoping he shows up soon, so I dont have to dismantle a 6ft planted tank....(not that I would, I'd get hubby to - but there's only so much complaining I can put up with lol).

Good luck, fingers crossed

 

[stang1]

Aww no, I hope he's hiding somewhere - will keep my fingers crossed for you. Our BN Mr Spoon has also gone missing, in a 6ft planted tank we can go days without seeing him, but it's been about a week now and I've been watching intently (well, as much as I can with the kids to look after!). I'm hoping he shows up soon, so I dont have to dismantle a 6ft planted tank....(not that I would, I'd get hubby to - but there's only so much complaining I can put up with lol).

Good luck, fingers crossed

Thanks Lisa.
I'm really praying he's ok, he's such a lovely little Pleco but I am losing hope. I'm going to have another search for him in the hope that I find him!
I love the name of your BN! I hope you find him, they really are beggars to find, aren't they? I don't envy you trying to find him in your 6ft, that must be a nightmare for you! We are still setting up our 5ft and the space they'll have to hide in then......
How's Jim Royal getting on? He's an absolute beauty.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you as well.