Lazy Pleco, Sickly or Just Well-Fed?

SapphireBlue · Post by **SapphireBlue** » 15 Jul 2004, 13:13

I have a 12" Common Plecostomus in my tank, with large Apple Snails and some Cory Cats. I just put in some Angel Fish, too (other post in Speakeasy). I have noticed my big Pleco just pretty much stays in one spot. He seems rather healthy, but doesn't slurk on the glass the way he used to. I feed algae tabs and catfish tablets. He also gets calcium shell weekend feeders to rasp away at when he feels like. He is about three years old (I've had him that long and he was rather small when I purchased him). I clean the tank often, so there isn't any algae growth, but it gets a film on it, from time to time. He doesn't do anything in the way of cleaning the glass. Is this normal, or is he just well-fed enough that he feels he doesn't have to "scavenge?" Any ideas on this behavior. Do they get "lazier" as they get older? I was told they tend to live for several years, with good care, so he shouldn't be nearing the end of his normal life cycle, do you think? He looks fine, but is this inactivity a sign that he could be sickly?

Post by **Silurus** » 15 Jul 2004, 13:20

Your common pleco is omnivorous (and actually prefers meatier foods). Quite a number of people add a common pleco to their tanks in the belief that the fish will keep the glass clean. Unless the fish has no other source of food, they are disabused of this notion fairly quickly.

Post by **Barbie** » 15 Jul 2004, 17:24

I have a friend with an 18 year old common pleco. They don't just live a few years with proper maintenance. I assume you're doing partial water changes when you clean the tank? 30% weekly water changes will greatly increase the longevity of most fish.

Barbie

SapphireBlue · Post by **SapphireBlue** » 15 Jul 2004, 23:41

Definitely! I clean the tank weekly and do frequent water changes. I have Apple Snails in with him and they are messy, so it gets cleaned more than the average tank. That's cool, that they can live that long! I am very fond of my Pleco, so I don't want to lose him. I just wondered why he's not as active. He used to be really quick to flash around and to rasp the glass off. I guess he's just complacent and lazy now!