What does it mean when my fish (a pleco - algae eater) spends all his time upside down clinging to the bogwood?

I've had him for five years, so I'm pretty used to regular pleco behavior. I know he's sometimes light sensitive and likes to have a "cave" to hid out in, but he's been "upsidedowning" in the same spot all day for nearly a week.(I did check that he's eating and moving around at night.) I changed his water source recently, but it didn't seem to effect my cardinal tetras (who seem to be the most sensitive, so I consider them my "canaries") I also dosed the tank with "RidIch" because my cherry barbs were acting itchy. (I followed the directions and if anything underdosed since I do it so infrequently.

) Do any pleco experts know what this is about? I'm planning to get him some top of tank live plants this weekend. Other suggestions/explanations are really appreciated!

Asked by eilonwy 47 months ago Similar questions: fish pleco algae eater spends time upside clinging bogwood Pets > Fish.

Similar questions: fish pleco algae eater spends time upside clinging bogwood.

It is normal behavior There are different types of pleco fish with Hypostomus Plecostomus, or Common Plecos, being the most common and available to own. I am going to assume you have a Common Pleco. A nocturnal fish, they are mostly active at youth, and they do the best job at consuming algae.

However, when they get older they lose their taste for algae and become less active. Since you stated your pleco is five years old and it stays under the driftwood more than ever, this is a valid theory. Make sure you provide algae wafers or some vegetable matter (zuchini, squash, cucumber) for your pleco to feed on so it doesn't starve.

Drop the food in as soon as the lights go off and make sure to remove anything not eaten so the water won't get fouled. Also, when Common Plecos get bigger, they tend to produce lots more waste. If the water is not changed frequently and the gravel not vacuumed, they can become stressed and even less active.

Dirty water can also breed the dreaded ich. I don't believe the water change that you performed would have affected your pleco, unless it was an enormous change. Also, since you underdosed the RidIch, I don't think that would affect it either.

One final thought, common plecos get rather large and do not do well in tanks less than 75 gallons. If they are kept in smaller tanks they can get stressed. Sources: My opinion from experience .

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