Sunshine pleco disease

[Bassjedi]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

0.25

If I did not test my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

41-50%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

Hi everyone. My Sunshine Pleco is not looking great. His color has changed and he has white blotches, his appetite has decreased, and his dorsal fin is twitching. All other fish in the tank look fine. Water parameters are fine. Any ideas?

 

[kno4te]

What are it’s tankamtes? What have u been feeding? Did u qt it when bought?

 

[Bassjedi]

What are it’s tankamtes? What have u been feeding? Did u qt it when bought?

Peacock bass and Geos, an Oscar, and a vulture Cat.

It eats leftover pellets and zucchini.

I have had it over a year with no changes to diet or tankmates.

 

[kno4te]

Peacock bass and Geos, an Oscar, and a vulture Cat.

It eats leftover pellets and zucchini.

I have had it over a year with no changes to diet or tankmates.

Suspect maybe from tankamtes. Did it happen after a feeding? I’d guess it’s from the vulture catfish possibly. Maybe thebiggerthebetter has any input on this if related to vulture cats. I’d separate for now and monitor if able.

 

[dr exum]

mines got some of that action too... thought was normal?

 

[Bassjedi]

mines got some of that action too... thought was normal?

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The coloration on its own wouldn't bother me; it's the lack of appetite and twitching.

 

[BIG-G]

The splotches if lighter color is a normal process.
Just like a lot of fish patterns and light and dark places come and go, could be stress related.
I would move to another tank,if possible and just observe for now.
I would also try to vary the diet.
Feed some market shrimp or cut tilapia.
Sunnies like some meat in their diet.

 

[Bassjedi]

The splotches if lighter color is a normal process.
Just like a lot of fish patterns and light and dark places come and go, could be stress related.
I would move to another tank,if possible and just observe for now.
I would also try to vary the diet.
Feed some market shrimp or cut tilapia.
Sunnies like some meat in their diet.

The hard part is getting any food past the other fish. Especially the Vulture Cat.

 

[BIG-G]

The hard part is getting any food past the other fish. Especially the Vulture Cat.

I thought so. That’s why I suggested moving the pleco.
I deal with the same issue some.
I made a cave only large enough for the pleco and put its food attached to a rock inside at feeding time.
It’s frustrating.

 

[Bassjedi]

I thought so. That’s why I suggested moving the pleco.
I deal with the same issue some.
I made a cave only large enough for the pleco and put its food attached to a rock inside at feeding time.
It’s frustrating.

The Vulture Cat will definitely get any meat I put in there no matter how I put it in. I used to hide massivore pellets in zucchini but the Vulture learned to gobble the whole zucchini.