My pleco has been living in my filter for a week!

[OwlByNature]

So I lost track of my brand new pleco the day after I bought it. I was so worried! I'd cleaned out my tank and reorganized and washed decor, and couldn't find him! Well, I just changed my filter, and he was inside of it! I thought he was dead, so I grabbed a plastic bag to dump him in so I could take him back to petco and have them make good on their 14 day policy. When I got him in the bag, he started moving!! I netted him and put him back in the tank, replaced the filter, and watched him swim to the bottom of the tank.
He had been in there for about a week! And his tail is next to gone. He isn't moving much, but he's definitely alive. What can I do for him? He's probably traumatized! How'd be get in the filter in the first place? Has this happened to anyone?

 

[CalebZachary]

Never heard that happen. Kind of crazy. Poor guy.

 

[herp_mommy]

He must have jumped. Assuming its a HOB. Clean water and his tail should heal up.

 

[mikem691]

I would just double your water change schedule for a couple weeks and keep an eye on him.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Also don't change your filter cartridge. By doing that you are throwing away nitrifying bacteria.

 

[reefdiver]

I have a sumo loach that does that with my AC filter.