I got it some months ago, i feed it pleco biscuits or wtv they’re called and sunken fish flakes.
Importantly i just moved the tank here 10 days ago, the corydoras and dwarf frogs in here are fine.
It’s been immobile for the past 12 hours maybe more, I just noticed now.
I was replanting stems when I noticed it wouldnt run away, instead it would just start twitching while stiff, whats happening?
Posted by Additional-Owl-3616
5 Comments
Obligatory have you tested your water and are you aware that fish will be far too large for the tank?
That sounds like an **emergency**, not normal pleco behavior. A pleco that has been immobile for 12+ hours and only twitches when disturbed could be severely stressed, neurologically affected, poisoned, oxygen-deprived, or close to dying.
Since the tank was moved only 10 days ago, I’d immediately test **ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and temperature**. Also make sure the filter is actually running properly and there’s good surface agitation/oxygenation.
I would not assume the tank is safe just because the corys and frogs look fine—different species can show toxicity or oxygen stress at different times.
If ammonia or nitrite are detectable, do an immediate conditioned water change. If oxygen seems questionable, increase aeration right away. Don’t add salt or random medication until you know what the water parameters are.
Also check whether the pleco’s abdomen looks sunken, bloated, injured, discolored, or whether the gills are moving rapidly or barely at all. A clear photo of the fish, the tank size, exact water-test results, temperature, and the pleco species would help narrow it down.
And for feeding, plecos shouldn’t live only on “pleco biscuits” and leftover sinking food long-term. The diet depends on the species, but many need a mix of appropriate sinking foods, vegetables/plant matter, biofilm, and sometimes wood or more protein depending on the species.
*“…pleco biscuits or wtv they’re called and sunken fish flakes”*
From the sound of it, you don’t care very much about making sure you’re keeping the fish properly if you don’t even know what you’re feeding it.
Do research before keeping fish. Make sure they are in an environment suitable for their needs. What’s happening is it’s about to be dead.
Done killed that poor thing. Thing is drowning in its own piss. Way to small of a tank for that thing friend.
Do you have rotting wood inside the tank. They needs this to digest their food