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why does my pleco keep dying2007-11-24 23:43:16

i brought a second pleco after my first pleco died i only had the first one for a few days before he died and i went and bought another one and he died in one day what am i doing wrong i have 4 red eyed tetras in with him.

Answers:

I have a turtle and when we bought it I wanted a pleco so badly but we were told to wait for at least a month as they survive on algae and the tank needs to build it up. see if your local pet shop sells reverse osmosis water we get it at ours for .25 cents a gallon it's the purest water you can get for a tank and will allow algae to grow without changing the natural chemicals your tank needs. I have now had my same pleco for over 3 months. if it's a food issue you are having you can get algae flakes if he isn't eating enough follow directions on package. A pleco will have a nice rounded or flat belly if he is eating properly and if his tummy is caved in a bit then he's not eating enough.

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Possibly tank is too cold, and the ther fish may be letting off an extreme amount of ammonia in the water which can also kill them. Make sure you do not immediately place them in the water, sit the bag in the water for a few hours to allow for the water temperature adjustment. My goldfish killed my plecos with their dirtiness, plus the tank was too cold.

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you have to feed the pleco algae wafers.. they can't live on aquarium algae alone.

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Ususally the reason plecos die is because of underfeeding. When you purchase one make sure you look it over. Have the person getting it for you chase up on the front glass. Look at its stomach. Is it sunken in? Are there fuzzy spots? Does it appear to be "breathing hard"? Is the place your buying it from a reputable store (I am not talking about the chain stores)? Is it a common Pleco or is it a species that requires special consideration (make sure you know!!)?