pleco caused illness in tank

Henry Di Cristofano · Post by **Henry Di Cristofano** » 10 Nov 2006, 22:55

Added a bushy nose pleco last week. Two year old cichlid started acting sluggish. Added Melafix on Tues., no improvement. Now on second day of Maracyn II and it's still hiding, not eating, and pale. Tetras also not eating well. Pleco is ok, I think. Always hiding, but they always do anyway, right? Suggestions? Thank you.

TheFishGuy · Post by **TheFishGuy** » 11 Nov 2006, 17:02

If the only thing that's changed is the presence of a new fish, then try removing the fish to a hospital tank and start doing an aggressive water change scedual on the main tank. Say something like 20% daily. Stop with the medication and see if it'll solve the problem with water changes. My guess is it will. Never underestimate the effect of an aggressive water change scedual.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 13 Nov 2006, 12:38

Acting sluggish and not eating is definitely a cause for concern.

It's possible that the new fish was carrying Ich and that it's not visible yet - but it could be several other things too, so don't medicate against that just yet. Also, it could be coincidental - the new fish may have nothing whatsoever to do with the change in behaviour of the other fish...

I would also vote for the water change... And I'd be a little bit more agressive, 40% or so on the first day, then follow with slightly smaller.

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Mats

TheFishGuy · Post by **TheFishGuy** » 14 Nov 2006, 00:05

it's been a few days, what's going on in the tank?

Henry Di Cristofano · Post by **Henry Di Cristofano** » 14 Nov 2006, 17:29

Thanks to everyone who answered my email about a new pleco making the other fish sick. The pleco and four tetras died last night, leaving one rainbow cichlid and two tetras which are not doing well. 25% water change today with second dose of Quick Cure and an increase in temperature. Can't do much else, I don't think. When I buy another bristlenose pleco, I'd like to put it in a quarantine tank for two weeks. Will it survive without algae to graze on, and will algae pellets be sufficient to sustain it before putting it in the main tank? Thanks.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 14 Nov 2006, 17:34

It should survive without algae if you give it suitable alternative. I'd say zucchini is the best choice, with the occasional algae wafer for some more meat (surprisingly, algae wafers do contain a fair amount of "non-algae" meaty stuff)...

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Mats

pleco caused illness in tank

pleco caused illness in tank

sick fish