Please help with 10 year old Plec
Posted: 19 Apr 2016, 17:18
We have a common plec about 13". He usually decorates the tank like crazy!
All water parameters are normal. Our water is hard and alkaline. Always has been.
Temp is in the 80 degree range.
Water change of 30-40% once a week.
2 hanging filters.
Tank about 30 gallons.
Always has been.
Used to share with a goldfish but he passed almost a year ago.
In the past few months he has had a few bouts of constipation.
We were feeding a tetra algae wafer (the solid green one) in the early am when we wake
and a slice of zuccini and then a slice of yellow squash in the pm before bed - also we would throw in a second algae wafer. Once a week or so we would throw in a tetramin tablet instead of the algae wafer for extra protein. He always ate well and eliminated accordingly!
One time 2 algea wafers got stuck together and another time he seemed extra hungry so we put 2.
We think maybe that's why he got blocked up?
We fasted him for a day, gave peas which he seems to nibble but not a lot.
Put in the zuccini and after a week or so he started going again, though not quite as much - and then he stopped again. We figure we went back to his regular diet too quickly?
It's been about a week - did the same fast for a day, put peas. Saw some small poo.
Been putting in zuccini which he devours.
He looks normal, eats normal - but WHERE'S THE LONG POO???!!!
Has anyone ever experienced this or know what this could be?
We're at a loss as to what to do!
No algae wafers for a few days - only zuccini.
Are we feeding to little?
But we don't want to block him more!
Please advise!
Thank you very much!
All water parameters are normal. Our water is hard and alkaline. Always has been.
Temp is in the 80 degree range.
Water change of 30-40% once a week.
2 hanging filters.
Tank about 30 gallons.
Always has been.
Used to share with a goldfish but he passed almost a year ago.

In the past few months he has had a few bouts of constipation.
We were feeding a tetra algae wafer (the solid green one) in the early am when we wake
and a slice of zuccini and then a slice of yellow squash in the pm before bed - also we would throw in a second algae wafer. Once a week or so we would throw in a tetramin tablet instead of the algae wafer for extra protein. He always ate well and eliminated accordingly!
One time 2 algea wafers got stuck together and another time he seemed extra hungry so we put 2.
We think maybe that's why he got blocked up?
We fasted him for a day, gave peas which he seems to nibble but not a lot.
Put in the zuccini and after a week or so he started going again, though not quite as much - and then he stopped again. We figure we went back to his regular diet too quickly?
It's been about a week - did the same fast for a day, put peas. Saw some small poo.
Been putting in zuccini which he devours.
He looks normal, eats normal - but WHERE'S THE LONG POO???!!!
Has anyone ever experienced this or know what this could be?
We're at a loss as to what to do!
No algae wafers for a few days - only zuccini.
Are we feeding to little?
But we don't want to block him more!
Please advise!
Thank you very much!
