Please help! Our pleco is not doing well. He is lying on his back but he is alive. I'm including a picture and I don't know what to do. Is there anything I can do?
Posted by wannaplayspace
9 Comments
kcolgo on
What are your water parameters like?
Least_Release_177 on
That tank is way too small for those fish. The gold fish need a minimum of 20 gallons EACH. Goldfish also create a ton of waste/ammonia and you seem to have no plants or anything to absorb the nitrites/nitrates.
I would strongly recommend testing your water parameters with a liquid test kit like the “Freshater Master Test Kit” by API. If you don’t currently have a test kit, do a 50% water change right now, and buy a kit. Test strips aren’t reliable.
Sweet_Term1159 on
One of mine did this the other week and 3 days later died đ nothing wrong with the water or anything but we had a nasty female me and think it may have to do with that!
Helpful_Variation_72 on
Don’t jist put the fish in a new tank
Cycle the new aqaurium
Otherwise fish will die
Xx_Nem_xX on
The gold fish should be in its own tank. The other two should have at least 30 gallons and some more plant life.
nonameguy3_ on
I wonder why
KP_Wrath on
Each of those fish should be in a tank that size, by themselves. The pleco, probably 3x that size or maybe a wide and kinda shallow tub.
RS_EJB on
I see you talking about buying a new tank but its not as simple as just filling it with water and putting the fish in.
wannaplayspace on
Short term update: I’m testing the water and trying to figure it out. I have messaged my husband who is usually the one in charge of this. I’m waiting for the nitrate test results and then I’ll go from there.
Longer term update: I am insisting on us rehoming the fish. The fact that they have not been living their best life makes me sick. I felt like this tank has been too small for a while and didn’t act. Thats on me. Obviously, we have not been responsible pet owners. I’m not going to risk this again. I feel absolutely awful and fully deserve to.
9 Comments
What are your water parameters like?
That tank is way too small for those fish. The gold fish need a minimum of 20 gallons EACH. Goldfish also create a ton of waste/ammonia and you seem to have no plants or anything to absorb the nitrites/nitrates.
I would strongly recommend testing your water parameters with a liquid test kit like the “Freshater Master Test Kit” by API. If you don’t currently have a test kit, do a 50% water change right now, and buy a kit. Test strips aren’t reliable.
One of mine did this the other week and 3 days later died đ nothing wrong with the water or anything but we had a nasty female me and think it may have to do with that!
Don’t jist put the fish in a new tank
Cycle the new aqaurium
Otherwise fish will die
The gold fish should be in its own tank. The other two should have at least 30 gallons and some more plant life.
I wonder why
Each of those fish should be in a tank that size, by themselves. The pleco, probably 3x that size or maybe a wide and kinda shallow tub.
I see you talking about buying a new tank but its not as simple as just filling it with water and putting the fish in.
Short term update: I’m testing the water and trying to figure it out. I have messaged my husband who is usually the one in charge of this. I’m waiting for the nitrate test results and then I’ll go from there.
Longer term update: I am insisting on us rehoming the fish. The fact that they have not been living their best life makes me sick. I felt like this tank has been too small for a while and didn’t act. Thats on me. Obviously, we have not been responsible pet owners. I’m not going to risk this again. I feel absolutely awful and fully deserve to.