New Pleco

[KageBunshin]

I just got a sailFin pleco from my LFS to take care of my crazy alage problem. My last pleco died last week of an overdose of stresscoat. He was a common. But I hope my sailfin would do better. The sailfin is very inactive, I dont know whats the matter. The water is at 76 F and I keep the lights off for now because of his nocturnal tendencies. I have a lot of aeration going on from two airstrips and a penguin 330 filter. He is in a 30 gallon tank with 4 fancy Goldfish about 3-4 inches long. I do not use salt. Im have really bad luck with plecos... Anybody know any secrets in keepin them alive?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

What is your current ammonia, nitrate and nitrite stats? Are you positive your filtration for the tank is adequete and the bottom of the tank is getting enough? What type of algae do you have?

 

[smithrc]

you cant overdose on stress coat - its all harmless ingredients...

I think there might be an underlyeing problem...

Astokis says... what are the tank readings?

 

[Earthgirl]

He might not be doing good cause a 30 gallon is WAY too small for a sailfin. How big is he?


And also what are your readings.
For us to help you out, we need to find out underlying levels

 

[Teelie]

Also, Sailfins need to eat more than just algae. Contrary to the popular belief, you can't just pop a plec in a tank and let it munch on the glass. They need actual wafers or tablets of food to feed on.

 

[freddyk]

That was my first thought - gotta feed them, and they eat a lot.