I don't know how to explain this any better, but I have had my BP for over a year now. She has been doing quite well up until recently (the winter).
She was bright and vibrant, laid eggs often, and quite personable (I could feed her from my hand).
I keep up on my water changes (33% change every 2 weeks with 2 new filters), use aquarium salt, and keep the tank at a constant 80F.
This has been done like clockwork for the past year. These past few months, she has lost some of her color, and has stopped laying eggs.The ammonia and nitrate tests show all minimal, even right before a water change.
The current tank is a 29 gallon with 3 white skirts (dither fish) and 2 plecostomus. The plecos have gotten larger than I thought they would, but leave the BP alone, and as said before, do not cause any spikes in my tank.
For the main point of my question: the BP bolts around the tank all of a sudden (like she is being chased) by some sort of predator. I watch her do this, and nothing is chasing her. I assume the stress is a factor, but how do I prevent what isn't *really* occurring?
I am planning on giving away one of my plecos to reduce the number of fish in the tank to see if she is feeling crowded. She has plenty of places to hide too.
Thanks!
Comments
Thanks all
I moved the Plecos to a friend with a 55gal that needed better cleaning. I would like to point out that after I removed them, something bad happened. I'll call it "Reverse Spiking".
I know about adding too many fish at once will spike the ammonia buildup in a tank, but removing the plecos caused a HUGE spike in nitrates. My BP got even worse, and the tank was clouded even after two 50% water changes.
Now, my BP is on her way to being back to normal and happy as a clam! Thanks all for the help!
Rob
Re: My BP is freaking out
It could be that the Pleco is maturing and becoming aggressive and harassing her during the night. I think Plecos are nocturnal? It could be that it stresses her so much that she's no longer comfortable in the tank and on edge. From what I've seen, from watching my BP for the last 10 years, they hide or bolt when upset or nervous. I've seen him bolt for no reason too but I noticed it only happens after he's had a traumatic (for him) event some time before. I also noticed that he would loose color when he's stressed. I think that BPs are really stress-prone fish.
I would remove the plecos, I think they're up to no good while you're not watching, in the middle of the night.
Violet
BP freaking out
Like you, I would suspect overcrowding to be the probable cause, 30 galls is what is recommended for one BP alone, its not just water quality, its territory needed and your BP is growing and maturing, I personally would re home both of the plecos unless you can go up to a bigger tank, has she got any black spots? will you keep us informed because I would be interested to know how you get on
BP freaking out
I have had small plecos in most of the tanks I had thru the years. Thought they were a safe, tough algae cleaner.
About a month ago we found a home for a pleco we had that had grown to about a foot. He was too big for us. I had noticed that it was acting different than when it was little, starting when it was a quarter of it's current size. Standing it's ground and using it's tail to slap at other fish. Plus it was really bad about poo. (really bad)
I have read about problems with plecos recently. Thinking about getting a small one again. Changed my mind. :) According to what I read, as they grow, they too get territorial. There was also info about sucking slime off of fish if it didn't have enough algae, food to eat. Supposedly it also could catch fish at night when the fish settled down to and was quiet. Meaning it could cause damage on the fish or take advantage of a fish that is ill. Plecos seem to be nocturnal.
The info was in several good locations on the web. similar info, just written a little differently. One site was like this one, but for fish health problems. A posting was talking about their pleco attaching to a fish where it had a sore. It would not surprise me. I know they are supposed to only eat plants. I have seen them in aquarium shops on dead fish. The one I had did seem to be territorial. It was well fed, but it was always hungry. It would eat anything fed to the tank. Not just plant foods.
Then your female lays eggs and is very territorial. Makes me wonder if the plecos cause her problems with the eggs.
I would also think that the size of Your tank and the number of fish in it. Plus the two Plecos getting more territorial and bigger. Could be your problem.
This brings something to mind, I have wondered about. Do BPs ever get egg bound or have problems with eggs, before they are out. I assume this is not the problem with the BP we are talking about. Are they very regular with when they have eggs, or can it mean nothing if they don't lay eggs for a while?