where did my pleco go?

[Pipedreamer86]

Ok I just removed everything from my tank, and vaccumed with my weekly water change. It's been about a week or 10 days since I've seen my pleco and I didn't see him while cleaning. He's a good 3 1/2 inch long rubberlip pleco. If he died I.should have at least.found a body, being that big he.couldn't have decomposed or been eaten away.that quickly. Not really sure what I'm asking other than where could he be

[Cynic]

Depends on the size of your tank as to whether it's possible he's hiding and depends on your stocking as to whether he's been devoured...

[Pipedreamer86]

It's 150g and 9 corys 10 blackskirt tetras 2 honey gouramis, 3 turquoise rainbows, 3 baby yo-yo loaches, 0 am 0 trite, ~10 trates

[Cichlid Kid]

Some plecos are extremely adept at hiding. Even to the point of going into a structure and staying attached to it out of water. Lol

[bud29]

yes, plecos are very good hiders. Especially in that large of a tank, I would not be worried.

[Ljk09]

I'd say he was hiding also. They are very good hiders.

[Tetra1990]

I'd bet he's hiding. I have a clown in my 29. I'll go a good 14 days without seeing him. Then one day, BOOM!! He is out in the open.

[Pipedreamer86]

I really hope he's just hiding, I really like him. It just blows my mind I had.the tank ripped apart.

[Borderlesscott]

Check inside your filter housing, my Clown Pleco managed to get into mine a few months ago. Even if you think it's impossible for him to get into a spot - check it.

[Pipedreamer86]

You mean inside the canister? Thats impossible!

[CichlidSensai]

I've had them go up the filter line to canister and get hung up at the shut off valves

[absolutangel04]

I am going to agree that he could be hiding, but for what it's worth, that is also most definitely more than enough time to decompose a body if he died, especially with bottom feeders in your tank. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer.

[Pipedreamer86]

Originally Posted by CichlidSensai

I've had them go up the filter line to canister and get hung up at the shut off valves

That's crazy did you not have the little screen over the pipe? How did you wind up finding him?

[Pipedreamer86]

Originally Posted by absolutangel04

I am going to agree that he could be hiding, but for what it's worth, that is also most definitely more than enough time to decompose a body if he died, especially with bottom feeders in your tank. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer.

Well thanks for being honest... I don't know how he could have died, my water parameters, etc have stayed golden. He'd only been in my tank a few weeks though, I.guess he could have come home sick :-/

[CichlidSensai]

When I went to clean filter pad I realized I couldn't shut the valve cause he was in there!!!