Pleco Acting Strange!

[Bluesand1313]

Yes, his lip has healed up in the last 48 hours. Why? Does that mean something?

It said on the package that the nitrate was caused by not doing proper water changes (ex: with just tap water) which can cause high nitrate.
Don't live plants consume nitrate? Or is that nitrite? I know what to keep it below, I have a test kit and I do read it.

I know what you mean about the wafers, though. I put some in for my oto's today and my guppies were pecking at it, trying to eat it. I asked them if it tasted good but they didn't answer.
I'm not sure what kind of filter we have, which is why I have been passing by all the filter comments. All I know is that it came with the tank and it's been okay for 4 years.. I've never had any problems and there was just a minor one before the water cleared and everything. I'll do a water change soon, since it's Monday. (Even though as I said before, it's not even my tank so I have no say in what to do with anything in there anyways.. She should do the cleaning but all she does is complain about it *sigh*. Being a kid's not that easy when your the one caring for all the animals she doesn't want to.

 

[xingumike]

Yes, his lip has healed up in the last 48 hours. Why? Does that mean something?

It said on the package that the nitrate was caused by not doing proper water changes (ex: with just tap water) which can cause high nitrate.
Don't live plants consume nitrate? Or is that nitrite? I know what to keep it below, I have a test kit and I do read it.

I know what you mean about the wafers, though. I put some in for my oto's today and my guppies were pecking at it, trying to eat it. I asked them if it tasted good but they didn't answer.
I'm not sure what kind of filter we have, which is why I have been passing by all the filter comments. All I know is that it came with the tank and it's been okay for 4 years.. I've never had any problems and there was just a minor one before the water cleared and everything. I'll do a water change soon, since it's Monday. (Even though as I said before, it's not even my tank so I have no say in what to do with anything in there anyways.. She should do the cleaning but all she does is complain about it *sigh*. Being a kid's not that easy when your the one caring for all the animals she doesn't want to.

So it has grown a new lip in 2 days?

'All I know is that it came with the tank and it's been okay for 4 years..'

Apart from all the ill fish?

You should show your mum this thread, she may reconsider how fit she is to have living creatures as ornaments.

 

[Bluesand1313]

I told her about it and she says she doesn't care. There isn't much I can do there.

I have no idea, all I know is that it was gone or it changed colour or something, and now it's back.

Apart from all the ill fish? Like I said, I've only had one in the 10 gallon. The Clown Loach. He got Ick. Nobody else got ill.. not in the 10 gallon anyways.
They might be ornaments to her but not for me. I personally love each of my fish because they have such personalities. Sometimes fish get ill from other things. Sometimes fish die from old age or from stress. It happens.

This is my favourite stamp by KasaraWolf on DeviantArt.

 

[onidrase]

What do you define by "old age"? Even the smallest of common schooling fish can live to be 5 years old (older than the tank said) when well taken care of. Most catfish live to be at least 10 years old. Just cause they don't get sick doesn't mean they weren't dying of water quality or malnourishment.

 

[Bluesand1313]

7 years is really old, 5 years is old.

That is how I define old age.

 

[fluttermoth]

I have a clown plec ( a very similar species) who is almost 16.

I'm sorry your mum's being difficult (I have a mother like that myself, so I do truly sympathise), but all you can do is either get a larger tank, or do more water changes.

And please listen to the people who are advising you to stop changing out the insides of the filter; it really isn't at all necessary. I have media that has been in use for getting on 20 years now. Maybe if you save on the filter cartridge changing, your mum would let you do more water changes? Just an idea.

Best of luck with your fishies.

 

[xingumike]

7 years is really old, 5 years is old.

That is how I define old age.

Can I ask how old you are?

 

[Bluesand1313]

I want to upgrade my tank to a 30 gallon, I really do, but I can't unless my mom lets me, which she isn't! I would fully pay for everything and save up everything to get it on my own.. I don't know why she doesn't want to upgrade. It frustrates me. So yea, I would get one if I could, I have been trying for one year to convince my mum to upgrade, with no luck. She's too stubborn and for no reason. >.>

I have no problem telling my age. I'm 14 years old but turning 15 in about a month and a half.