Tropical Fish Forums

Calypso · New Members Joined: 27 Nov 2006

I have a 75 gallon tank that is heavily planted with lots of hiding spots. I have tetras, cories, bettas (1 male and 6 females), 2 otos, and 1 bristlenose pleco (supposedly).

When we first got our pleco in February, we saw her almost every day. Then, we didn't see her for about 4 months, and were worried she might have passed on. We saw her again once in August -- looking as healthy as ever -- and now it's been another 4 months. We suspect she's still alive because we're not overgrown with algae, this has happened before, we haven't found a body, and all of the rest of our fish are very healthy.

Does anyone else go months without seeing one of their fish?

Senor · Members Joined: 25 Nov 2006

plecos are more active at night so u probably won't see it very much during the day. have you tried looking through out your tank thoroughly for it?

Calypso · New Members Joined: 27 Nov 2006

I look for her for probably 5-10 minutes every day, and after I posted this, I went home and looked for another 30 minutes last night. No signs! There are a few cave-like formations where she might be hiding. I have not tried looking at night, though.

I've had what our LFS calls common plecos in previous tanks, and they were never as adept at hiding as she is!

I think I'm just going to assume she's still alive somewhere in there unless I find any evidence to the contrary...

Thanks for the reply!

Mary

Jack_Dempsey11 · Regulars Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: At the LFS

If you're really worried, you might try removing as many fish as possible, then digging around in the decor for your pleco, but this is pretty extreme. If your pleco died, you would probably have noticed a pretty severe ammonia spike at some point over the last 4 months. If it jumped, you would have probably smelled it by now Razz

. My guess is that your fish is most likely hiding in one of your caves. By the way, do you have driftwood in the tank? Most plecos like to gnaw on wood for fiber, so if you add some your bristlenose might be more apt to come out during the day.
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Calypso · New Members Joined: 27 Nov 2006

Thanks for the response -- I'm really not that worried, I just think it's odd that she could disappear for so long!

I did search around the outside of the tank, so I know she didn't jump out (that happened to us about 5 years ago with a common pleco).

She's just a really good hider!

Mary

rfosgategt · Benefactors Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: Richmond, VA

turn the light off add a algae waffer and get a flash light. my clown pleco has a cave the it hides in, only comes out after the light has been off for some time. and once the light hits it, BAM, back to the cave it goes!
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Calypso · New Members Joined: 27 Nov 2006

When we were rearranging our tank this past weekend, we saw her! I noted it down in our fish log, so now I'm going to know for sure how long it is until the next sighting. Glad to know she's OK.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

Mary