R32GOTMLK Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 hi all i lost a fed spot plec a few weeks ago its belly got real big and then it died thinking it might have been bloat? or something along thoses lines.. now one of my other plecs is looking fat not sure if im being paranoid, but better to be safe than sorry heres some pics cheers Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 What are they being fed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted October 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 hi JBL nova pleco chips and zucchini (sp) Cheers Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 I had a seemingly well (acted and ate normally) bristlenose swell up and explode. A couple of others said they had experienced the same thing. None of us knew why though :-? One would expect it to be something like bloat or constipation. I don't even know if they get bloat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 I've been told from good authority (a fantastic bristlenose breeder) that if they eat bad food, they can get a bad infection in their tummies, which causes them to get constipated, swell and die. I've had 3 go like that (not all at once, thankfully!) and it's really horrible. Give the tank a really thorough clean, making sure you vac the bottom, where all the bad food sits. You may find you can't help this guy, but by keeping the bottom nice and clean, you should be able to prevent it from happening again. If he is still eating, try some peas or something else that may help move his bowels along. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenzenz Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 A healthy plec can go along time without food -is too much food an option? They are seceptable to bacterial infections in there stomach, particularly wildcaught fish. Really its the water quality and right now I'd recommend regular and decent water changes, get a air bubbler in and oxygenate water, the plec will appreciate that if it is under stress, even increase temp to 28-29. Overseas they regularly give antibiotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted October 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 hi guys thanks for the replies, i do 40-50% water changes weekly and feed every second day also have 2 bubble walls in there. there are also 2 other plecs in there and they seam fine. cheers Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted October 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 so do u guys think he looks sick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatfish Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Another thing to consider and possibly unrelated is that although they appear armour-plated they have quite soft delicate bellies. That gravel looks like it'd be a little harsh on the stomach. It does look like theres some minor damage to the skin on the rear portion of the belly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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