Why are my Plecostomus' breating really fast?

Question

I have two Plecos in my large barb tank. Water parameters are Ammonia nil, Nitrite nil, Nitrate 80 (has been much higher). There was a tiny trace of Nitrite but I have neutralised it; there is loads of oxygen entering the tank with a clean Fluval 3 and long airstone.

Why are my Plecos breathing hard? All the other fish seem fine.

Answer 1

How long has it been since you have done a partial water change. You say you "neutralized" the nitrites, do you add chemicals to your tank instead of fresh water to get rid of the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates that build up in all tanks? The best thing you can do for your fish is regular, weekly, partial 30-40% water changes.



I have plecos in almost all of my tanks and they spawn regularly for me. I do not notice them breathing hard or fast unless I am trying to net them to take them to the fish auction. This would suggest that stress makes them breath hard and/or fast.



Maybe there are not enough hiding places for them to feel comfortable, or possibly some of the other fish are harrassing them causing stress.



Are they new fish to your tank, or have they been in there a long time. Sometimes new fish that are not acclimatized slowly enough will go into pH shock from the difference in pH from the water in the bag you brought them home in to the water in your tank.



The proper way to acclimate is to add a half cup of tank water to the bag every 15 minutes for "at least an hour" before netting them out of the bag and placing them in the tank. Never pour the bag water into your home aquarium. You never know what kind of bad little critters are lurking in the fish store tanks that might come home with you.

8

Answer 2

Need some other information. How big are they, their species and if you know what sex.



Fluval 3 is good for a 100 - 150 litres tank, plecs unless they are meeting to breed are solitary animals often territorial. They fight sometimes, but you could have a Mexican stand off if they are equally matched.



There's a few things it could be, they hyper ventilate if the temp is too high or cold for instance. Much depends on what type of plec they are.

Answer 3

plecs always give that appearance on the glass its normally when they are sucking the glass and they appear to be breathing very fast.



if this is what you are referring to don't worry its perfectly normal.