What disease do Plecos get?
Epistylis (Heteropolaria)- A stalked ciliate which is commonly found in freshwater containing a high organic load. Tends to colonize bottom dwelling fish such as the plecostomus catfish. Lesions appear pale and white in color and resemble a fungal disease.
How do you treat fungus in tropical fish?
What should I do?
- Treat with Fungus and Finrot treatment – Increase aeration.
- Support fish with Aquilibrium first aid salt to help their immune system.
- Test water for irregularities and treat accordingly.
How do you treat Pleco fin rot?
Several antibiotics are effective in treating fin rot, but the root cause must be addressed to ensure the disease doesn’t return. cTreatment should include a water change and careful examination of the aquarium conditions. If there is food debris, vacuum the gravel and take care to avoid overfeeding in the future.
How often do pleco fish change their water?
The common plecostomus produces a lot of waste. Regularly vacuum up the feces and change 30-50% of the water at least on a weekly basis. If you allow the water quality in the aquarium to drop too much, it can make the pleco think that the dry season has started and that its home is about to dry out.
How are tropical fish diseases caught and treated?
The disease can be caught from other fish and can also take place on its own. Some fish face stressful situations which result in the damage of their fins or have fin nipping tank mates that can cause tears on the fins leading to infection. Once again a balanced aquatic environment plays an important role here.
Where do pleco fish spawn in the wild?
In the wild, this plecostomus prefers to use caves along the river bank as spawning sites and such conditions are hard to duplicate in an aquarium. When common plecos are bred in captivity for the aquarium hobby, they are normally bred in ponds, not in aquariums.
How does lymphocystis affect a tropical fish?
Lymphocystis may not cause a fish to die but it does have alarmingly harmful effects. The virus causes damage allowing for secondary bacterial disease to enter the fish causing damage and disfigures the tropical fish. Large spots can be visible on fins and scales.
What kind of diseases do plecos suffer from?
Plecos can suffer from all of the same diseases as other freshwater fish. Many believe that Plecos are more sensitive to disease. While they have large plates of armor, these fish don’t have small scales to protect their body from contaminants and bacteria. Some common diseases you might encounter are ich and dropsy.
Is the common pleco considered an invasive species?
Author Note: Common Plecos have started to appear in several countries around the world, too. Due to pet owners releasing these fish into the wild, they’re considered an invasive species in many regions. There are many misconceptions about this fish.
How to take care of a common pleco fish?
Keep lighting relatively subdued. At night, the tank should be dark. Utilize a red light to view the fish after hours. As for filtration, go with the most powerful option you can find (our recommendation would be the Fluval FX4 ). Common Plecos produce a lot of waste. They’re constantly eating, which can sour the water quality pretty quickly.
In the wild, this plecostomus prefers to use caves along the river bank as spawning sites and such conditions are hard to duplicate in an aquarium. When common plecos are bred in captivity for the aquarium hobby, they are normally bred in ponds, not in aquariums.
