Urgent Help Plecs Keep Dying

[xt3r3s4x]

Hi, over the last two weeks i've purchased 3 common plecs, seperately, (when 1 as died i've purchased another)all 3 have only lasted a day, purchased another yesterday got up this morning & dead again, all seem to have been fine & ok in the tank just dead the following morning for no apparent reason? This tank been established apprx 6 months, checked water & all water stats fine, plenty hiding places with artificial plants & ornaments, apprx 110 ltr tank with undergravel filter, housing: 2 female 1 male black mollie, 2 female 1 male white mollie, 2 female 1 male swordtail & dozen neons all of which are fine with no signs of stress or any sort of diseases. Any sort of help or suggestions would be very much appreciated, would love a plec but don't really want to purchase another untill i can try & solve this situation? I've no idea what is or what i could be doing wrong, please help???

 

[WILDER]

What test kit are you using?
How long did you climatise the plecs for.
What is the ph of the lfs to your tank.
Do you test the bag water for ph and temp.

Did the plecs dart, turn upside down, act listless and lethagic.
Did they look pale or darker in colour.
Did they go to the toilet. If so what did it look like.
Did they look bloated or thin.
Any excess mucas on the body or fins.
Did the temp in the bag drop really fast in the cold weather.
Just anything to go on.

 

[xt3r3s4x]

What test kit are you using?
How long did you climatise the plecs for.
What is the ph of the lfs to your tank.
Do you test the bag water for ph and temp.

Did the plecs dart, turn upside down, act listless and lethagic.
Did they look pale or darker in colour.
Did they go to the toilet. If so what did it look like.
Did they look bloated or thin.
Any excess mucas on the body or fins.
Did the temp in the bag drop really fast in the cold weather.
Just anything to go on.

Hi, thanks for the reply. Test kit im using only tests ph & nitrite which ph:7.5 nitrite: 0.3. Taken some water to aquatic shop, they say water is absolutly fine. Climatised apprx 20 mins, never tested water in the bag. All plecs darted to the bottom of tank, all appeared to be ok, 1st 2 didn't really see them they kept themselves hidden, the 1 purchased yesterday & found dead this morning was sucking at the glass & plants last night, appeared fine? I'm sorry but i really don't have anymore to go on, they have appeared to be ok & just found each 1 dead the following morning after purchase? All my other fish appear to be fine & healthy I'm really confused?

 

[WILDER]

Nitrite should be 0. Does your test kit go to 0.3 for 0.

Always test bag water for ph and temp. That why you know how long to climatise for.
If the bag water was really cold twenty minutes is not long.

It could of been so many things from stress, temp shock or ph shock. The fish were already ill.

 

[xt3r3s4x]

Nitrite should be 0. Does your test kit go to 0.3 for 0.

Always test bag water for ph and temp. That why you know how long to climatise for.
If the bag water was really cold twenty minutes is not long.

It could of been so many things from stress, temp shock or ph shock. The fish were already ill.

Yes thats the lowest the test kit shows (need to get another kit). So could this happen with all 3, bearing in mind they were purchased at different days? (same aquatic centre). Do you think i should try again?

 

[WILDER]

I would try another lfs.
In cold weather climatise for at least an hour adding tank water gradually. Not to fast to cause temp shock and ph shock.

 

[xt3r3s4x]

I would try another lfs.
In cold weather climatise for at least an hour adding tank water gradually. Not to fast to cause temp shock and ph shock.

Ok, i will try another aquatic centre & climatise longer. I wasn't aware that you added the water? I've been fishing out the bag with a net? Or if i've purchased more than 1 fish i've emptied the bag over a bucket & caught fish with a net?
Do you think it could be anything to do with algae or tankmates?

 

[indigoj]

Please don't buy another common plec for that tank - it is too small as common plecs should reach 18"+

If you really want another plec look around for a bristlenose plec which reaches about 5" and is much more suitable for the average community tank like yours.

I'd recommend weekly gravel vacing and getting a decent filter - undergravel ones are pretty useless especially for high waste producing fish.

You definitely need a liquid test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph. Test daily for a week to get used to the readings and then weekly before weekly 20% water changes. (sorry if you know all this)

Acclimatising properly is important, the idea is to match the water in the bag to the water in the tank very slowly so the fish don't go into shock. I add approx 1/2 an eggcup of tank water to the bag every 5 minutes for 30 to 60 minutes after letting the bag float for 10 minutes first. For plecs slower is better.

 

[xt3r3s4x]

Please don't buy another common plec for that tank - it is too small as common plecs should reach 18"+

If you really want another plec look around for a bristlenose plec which reaches about 5" and is much more suitable for the average community tank like yours.

I'd recommend weekly gravel vacing and getting a decent filter - undergravel ones are pretty useless especially for high waste producing fish.

You definitely need a liquid test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph. Test daily for a week to get used to the readings and then weekly before weekly 20% water changes. (sorry if you know all this)

Acclimatising properly is important, the idea is to match the water in the bag to the water in the tank very slowly so the fish don't go into shock. I add approx 1/2 an eggcup of tank water to the bag every 5 minutes for 30 to 60 minutes after letting the bag float for 10 minutes first. For plecs slower is better.

Hi, thanks for the advice. Will follow what you've said.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry never kept a common plec so wasn't sure on tank size.
I agree make sure you buy a plec for your tank size as some can grow quite large. And some can also be aggressive.

Good Luck.

 

[xt3r3s4x]

Thanks all for the help & suggestions