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
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