Came home to a sickening surprise... - Aquarium Advice

bs6749 · 12-12-2006, 03:53 AM

It had been a few days since I had seen my male BN pleco. I was just about to take some pics of him the other day when he was on the glass so I could show a friend the growth of the bristles, but I didn't as I had to get to work. The last time I saw him must have been on Friday. I had to work all day Saturday so I didn't get to see any of my fish that much but I knew that he was not showing up for role call when it came time to feed.

I noticed just yesterday that my little rock formation, which I made from heavy pieces of slate, had a huge dug out part by it. It must have been there on Saturday as well. I figured that he or the female were just a little more active than normal, and moved away some of the pfs when chasing one another. Now, I just realized what happened.

I knew he was missing, so I just searched my tank 15 minutes ago. I checked every piece of driftwood, looked to see if he had jumped out (which I doubted because there wasn't really enough space) and any other hiding spot that I could think he may be hiding in. The last spot I thought to check was where he was. I lifted up two of the pieces of slate and he appeared. I was startled at first and was like "THERE you are" but then I was shocked once more when I realized that he was floating and that his head was starting to rot away. The smell was that of a rotting bulb from a plant; awful to say the least. I think I am going to have to do a decent sized water change pretty soon. The poor little guy must have tried to burrow under the slate part-way only to have it collapse on him. I am sure that he tried frantically to get out (creating that large dug out portion) but it was no use... the weight was too much. You will be missed.

onah · 12-12-2006, 04:24 AM

THATS HORRIBLE! I am so sorry for your loss!

coldmachineUK · 12-12-2006, 06:14 AM

Really sorry to hear about your loss. Doesn't sound like anything you could have done to prevent it; fish do the most bizarre things sometimes unfortunately

Shelby_Tempo_GT · 12-12-2006, 07:44 AM

sorry for your loss

rich311k · 12-12-2006, 08:43 AM

I am sorry for your loss.

LandGhoti · 12-12-2006, 10:28 AM

I'm sorry for your loss.

DarylF2 · 12-12-2006, 11:20 AM

I'm so sorry about your Pleco! I had something similar happen years ago, and now make sure all rocks/driftwood have a strong foundation (not sitting on gravel). I put my "foundation" rocks and driftwood in before my substrate, then build the caves and such (making sure everything is solid and secure). Once you lose one fish to a collapse, you learn (the hard way) to be extra careful.

Don't feel its your fault, of course. Being a aquarist is a learning process for all of us, and its impossible to guess what crazy things our critters will do.

Again, I'm really sorry for your loss.

jamesrm · 12-12-2006, 11:42 AM

Sorry to hear that, its always hard to loose such great fish

O ALX O · 12-12-2006, 01:43 PM

Sorry to hear about your loss!

**Zagz** · 12-12-2006, 10:46 PM

So sorry to hear about your loss, that totally sucks.

12-12-2006, 03:53 AM	#1
bs6749 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lawton, MI Posts: 1,484	Came home to a sickening surprise... It had been a few days since I had seen my male BN pleco. I was just about to take some pics of him the other day when he was on the glass so I could show a friend the growth of the bristles, but I didn't as I had to get to work. The last time I saw him must have been on Friday. I had to work all day Saturday so I didn't get to see any of my fish that much but I knew that he was not showing up for role call when it came time to feed. I noticed just yesterday that my little rock formation, which I made from heavy pieces of slate, had a huge dug out part by it. It must have been there on Saturday as well. I figured that he or the female were just a little more active than normal, and moved away some of the pfs when chasing one another. Now, I just realized what happened. I knew he was missing, so I just searched my tank 15 minutes ago. I checked every piece of driftwood, looked to see if he had jumped out (which I doubted because there wasn't really enough space) and any other hiding spot that I could think he may be hiding in. The last spot I thought to check was where he was. I lifted up two of the pieces of slate and he appeared. I was startled at first and was like "THERE you are" but then I was shocked once more when I realized that he was floating and that his head was starting to rot away. The smell was that of a rotting bulb from a plant; awful to say the least. I think I am going to have to do a decent sized water change pretty soon. The poor little guy must have tried to burrow under the slate part-way only to have it collapse on him. I am sure that he tried frantically to get out (creating that large dug out portion) but it was no use... the weight was too much. You will be missed.

12-12-2006, 04:24 AM	#2
onah Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: laredo,tx. Posts: 289 Images: 2	THATS HORRIBLE! I am so sorry for your loss! __________________ things that make u go hmmmmmmm......

12-12-2006, 06:14 AM	#3
coldmachineUK Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 709 Images: 6	Really sorry to hear about your loss. Doesn't sound like anything you could have done to prevent it; fish do the most bizarre things sometimes unfortunately __________________ For expert advice check out these great sites: The Puffer Forum: http://www.thepufferforum.com \| The Cichlid Forum: http://www.cichlid-forum.com \| Cichlid Room Companion Forum: http://www.cichlidae.com \| Planet Catfish: http://www.planetcatfish.com \| PlecoFanatics: http://www.plecofanatics.com \| Gobioid Research Institite: http://www.gobiidae.com \| Fishbase.org: http://www.fishbase.org ------------------------------------------------------- 36 Gal: Malawi Cichlids \| 36 Gal: Brackish Puffer \| 58 Gal: FW Community \| 20 Gal: FW RTBS Shark \| 10 Gal: FW Breeder Spares: 20 Gal: Former River Conditions \| 8 Gal: Former Fry Tank \| 32G: Former Community Tank

12-12-2006, 11:20 AM	#7
DarylF2 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lexington Park, MD Posts: 184	I'm so sorry about your Pleco! I had something similar happen years ago, and now make sure all rocks/driftwood have a strong foundation (not sitting on gravel). I put my "foundation" rocks and driftwood in before my substrate, then build the caves and such (making sure everything is solid and secure). Once you lose one fish to a collapse, you learn (the hard way) to be extra careful. Don't feel its your fault, of course. Being a aquarist is a learning process for all of us, and its impossible to guess what crazy things our critters will do. Again, I'm really sorry for your loss. __________________ Daryl Forrest http://web.mac.com/darylf2

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12-12-2006, 07:44 AM	#4
Shelby_Tempo_GT Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: GTA Posts: 72	sorry for your loss

12-12-2006, 08:43 AM	#5
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	I am sorry for your loss.

12-12-2006, 10:28 AM	#6
LandGhoti Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Le Midwest Posts: 828 Images: 6	I'm sorry for your loss.

12-12-2006, 11:42 AM	#8
jamesrm Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 211	Sorry to hear that, its always hard to loose such great fish

12-12-2006, 01:43 PM	#9
O ALX O Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Albuquerque N.M. Posts: 115 Images: 1	Sorry to hear about your loss!

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