Sick Pleco

[Toddski]

For the past couple weeks my pleco has been going to the surface and gulping air more often than he used to. Yesterday Morning I noticed him on the bottom laying on his side and seemingly panting. I see no external marks or evidence of disease. I bought the pleco 15 years ago when he was about 1/2" long. He is now a little over 18 inches. The aquarium is 75 gallons.
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 0
Hardness 150
Alkalinity 150
PH 7.5
Amonia 0

Other fish in the tank are 4 Blue Gouramis
3 head tail lights
one black fin tetra?

All fish have been in the tank for at least two years.
Filter - Just swapped out the Fluval 405 for a Magnum 350 (pleco was darting for air previous to this switch) The morning after installing the new filter I found the pleco on it's side.
Nothing new has been added to the tank
I try to vacuum the gravel every other month and clean the filter. I add water to the aquarium as need to keep it filled.
The pleco gets fed every night. Sinking shrimp pellets and one or two algea discs.
I realize the life expectancy is about 15 years for the pleco but I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to keep him alive and well for as long as possible.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Todd

 

[Toddski]

The water temp is 78 and he is not doing well for the past few days. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Any ideas on what I can look for? Or is he just at the end of his life?

 

[Mama Karoti]

I don't have any advice for you. At that age, you may be right about it just being near the end of his lifespan.


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[Toddski]

yesterday I treated the water with PolyGuard per the advice of a pet store. He's hasn't moved in a couple days and is on his back but still breathing and getting skinny. Really stinks to see him like this. I wish I could add some liquid nutrition to the water so he would be able to get nourishment. I did soak a couple algae chips in water then blended them until they were dissolved and poured that into the tank but not sure if that's helping or hurting the situation.

 

[Autumnsky]

How are your water parameters looking after the filter change? I realize you said this was going on before, but usually you get a new filter the water is ready for a filter clean out. Or did the filter break down?

No new fish in the last couple months?

Try adding a bit of oil squeezed out of a garlic clove onto a couple sinking wafers and drop them down in front of him. Sometimes that stimulates them to eat, plus it is healthy for him.

You might try a rubbermaid tub and catch him and treat him in there if he doesn't start eating and all the rest of the fish seem fine.

It is sad when a "pet" isn't well, especially one which has been with you for such a long time. I hope he gets well.

 

[thing fish]

that is a shame and i am sorry to hear it. if you cannot tempt him with some of his favorite foods, it may be time to make a very difficult decision. it sounds like you gave him a far better life than many other commons.

 

[Toddski]

He is suffering no more. I left the house a few hours ago and came home to find him no longer breathing. He had a great 15 years. Wish we had him for 15 more though.

 

[Mama Karoti]

I'm sorry.


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