Common Plec - Is he poorly?

An epsom salt bath may be too stressful if he's not feeling well. Might be worth adding some epsom salts to the tank 1-3 teaspoons per 5 gallons.

I had a redline torpedo with swim bladder problems and it took nearly 2 months to get him fit enough to go back to the main tank. He was so bad and it looked so distressing that I seriously considered euthanising but I am glad I didn't as I nopw can't tell which one it was!!

Update on my Common Plec

My old Plec is still hanging on in there! Today, I've done a 30-40% water change, topped up the aquarium salt levels and given the first dose of the swim bladder meds. He gets a second dose on day 4, a third dose on day 8 and a fourth dose on day 12 (assuming he makes it that far!) :dk: I don't know how long these meds take to kick in, but hoping that I'll see some improvement soon if its going to work.

awwrh well done hang in there mate. keep up the meds and see how he goes

Best of luck with him...

hows he doing mate?

Update!

Hi all, my Plec is STILL hanging on in there! he has now had his 3rd dose of the swim bladder meds, but I personally can't see any difference in him - certainly his tail is still severely bent over and he still can't swim properly, although the last 24 hours he has made it down to the bottom of the tank (just - albeit spiralling down!) and just about managed to hit a bit of gravel :yes: He is still not eating though :cry: although I have seen him sucking on the side of the tank a bit more and we've left his lights on longer to encourage algae growth. He gets his last dose of swim bladder meds on Friday.

Still not sure this is the problem with him. Still think he may have had a stroke. I seriously thought the swim bladder meds might have fixed him and they don't seem to be doing anything. and I still haven't seen him poop for ages, over a week! :wb:

Anyway, will keep you all posted.

Swim bladder can take weeks to get rid of, but I would seriously sonsider an epsom salt bath or at least add some to the tank. Swim bladder problems are nearly always caused by constipation

following your posts

following your commos' ordeal and praying he pulls through , keep us posted , best to you both, Georgie

Update!

Hi all, Plec has just had his last dose of swim bladder meds. He doesn't look very good at the moment - his colour has turned quite pale underneath and his tail is a strange pale colour too. I saw him leave the side of the tank to change positions and he spiralled so much he ended up upside down for a very long time with his mouth wide open - I seriously thought this was the end, then he flipped back over and sucked onto the side of the tank again.

What is an epsom salt bath? I use API aquarium salt which is for a "general tonic" and "stress reducer" and also used to "enhance tropical fish disease treatment". so, does this do the same?

He's still not eating, however, after 4 weeks he's obviously getting something as he's still hanging on in there. I'm really stuck for ideas now. I did try to contact a specialist vet but, after leaving several messages, the guy just hasn't returned any of my calls - typical. :wb:

Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) should be available in your supermarket.
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I dont know about others, But Salt a big "no no" these fish we keep dont handle salt baths to well, especially when already under so much stress. Be very careful with salt baths with plecs I have lernt the hard way. Keep optimum water conditions and plecs have been know to live 30yrs + in captivity

Wasn't suggesting it be used as a bath, just add a 1/2 teaspoon or whatever to the actual tank water. It can relieve internal pressure.

If you are worried about slime coat using salts, add in some prime liquid for protection.

No probs, ill keep my experiances and comments to my self. No hassles

You should always use aquarium salt in moderation with plecos but epsoms salts is something completely different.

Aquarium salt = Sodium Chloride (without the anti caking agents they put in table salt)

Epsom Salts = Magnesium Sulphate

Aquarium salt baths are a no no with plecos because they wont handle it at all well at that concentration, epsom salt baths are a completely different thing and a well known treatment for constipation and swim bladder that results from it.

Brengun was only correcting your assumption, no need to get irritated!

Hi what was the outcome of all you did?, did he survive? I have a 9" common and he is going through the same, he was fine yesterday but when we turned the lights on today he was at the top just like yours with his tail bent over hanging down. when he tried to swin he is all over the place.

He did venture to the bottom and his tail look crooked. i have enclosed 2 pics one at the top and 1 on the bottom of the tank.

Hi Warby, sadly he died. He didn't respond to any of the meds we gave him (anti bacterial meds and swim bladder meds), and lasted just over 4 weeks after it first happened before we found him dead in his tank. I'm not an expert, but given his age, I think he died from natural causes - probably a stroke or something.

How is yours doing? Is he still hanging on in there?

im sorry to hear that your fish past but its good to see you were proactive in treating it!

for fish that are showing signs of not eating and begining bloat de-sheld peas rubbed with garlic is great as said earlyer
avoid other foods!
garlic is great for the fishs immunity and is a great attractent-as said earlyer

epsom salt baths are also great (but yes causes much stress on the fish)
so try not to do them when the fish is extreamly weak!

i found this post hard to read as most of the information offered was a big no-no most people said it right since its so far along / servere and its almost imposible to diagnoise so seek a pro/ expert to diagnoise and medicate we all should avoid throwing out options that could be harmful & stressfull for both the fish and the owner !

yes internet is great and helpful tho we should be all trying to help correctly diagnose the problem before we give our own oppinon on treatment (from our experiences).

we are all learning and we need to be able to find help and someone to comunicate with but people lets not lead people the wrong way
(unintentionaly yes although server)

as people should seek help firsrt in diagnosing then seek help in treating the diagnosed problem!

Just wanted to say how sorry I am for you losing such a grand old plec like that.

It was really quite upsetting reading this thread.

I hope you can find it in yourself to get another one & care for it as well as you obviously did the one who passed away. 13 years is a fantastic age, but all the more upsetting as he's part of your family.

All the best

Richard + my pardalis.