Plecostomus breathing air?

[HummingBird]

I've got a little common plecostomus that seems to be going up to the surface every now and then to breath in air. I'm pretty sure he isn't just feeding from the surface because before he does this I've noticed him letting off bubbles. Is this normal?

[Ira]

Yup, it's normal. Don't know why they do it. I've heard things ranging from it being a contact behavior, sorta like, "Are there any other plecos around?" to being partial air breathers. So...No clue why.

[Wazza]

This is very normal, apparently as Plecos gets bigger they need more air so they suck up air like we do. So I have been told anyway, seams logical to me.

[new zealand discus man]

from new zealand discus man.

any fish thats not a true air breather would make me worry about the oxygen levels in tank..i talked about algae on forum..

same rules..many forms of algae and i believe many plants can actually consume oxygen .

usually happens at night in big out door ponds so i cant see why aquariums would be any diff..surface layering caused by still conditions also causes this effect..

air in filters that has large bubbles is very hard to actually get into water..

we see lots of bubbles and think great ..plenty but most is going straight up and out..

i also feel that power filters at discharge under water and with out air in system to would make me worry..it will move around the surface but not break it..many small bugs do walk on water...and off course to many fishies....!!!.

my views are based on problems that came along over 30 years of fishies..

cheers phill collis