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Hey guys,
So my pleco did something strange today,he did what looked like going up to the surface for air. He swam real quickly to the top, hit of the lid and came back down. Another strange thing is that i saw a big bubble come up to the surface today and when i looked down it came from right where the pleco was. Other than that he is eating and swimming fine. I wasnt sure if this was normal behavior or if something was wrong with him.
Unfortunately it is a common pleco and he is in a WAY to small tank but i got him as a newbie and can't find anywhere to take him. Would this have an effect on him?
Sam

From your description, it sounds like your pleco just took a gulp of air. They are just like cories in that they can process oxygen in their gut, they just don't do it nearly as often as cories do. The day that I brought my bristlenose pleco home, I saw him go up for air twice. I haven't observed such behavior since. The bubble that you saw was just the plec dispelling the air.

Since I've only seen this happen infrequently, I have to assume that plecos usually only take in surface air when they are stressed, or living in a tank with low dissolved oxygen levels. Do you have an airstone? Perhaps if you added that, the plec would have an easier time breathing. Plecos tend to live in fast-moving rivers and streams, and like high oxygenation. Those are the conditions that they adapted to, though it is apparent that they live in some stagnant waters as well. Otherwise, they wouldn't have a need for surface air.

I know that it may have been a newbie mistake, but that plec really needs a new home. See if you can get an lfs to take it. You don't want your fish to suffer and stunt under cramped conditions, so you should give it to a place that can improve its quality of life.

Last edited by sirbooks at 12-Apr-2005 20:29

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Thanks books, i do have an airstone running and there is quite a bit of current.
Unfortunately none of the LFS around here will take my pleco. I am planning on getting a bigger tank sometime over the summer. Hopefully though i will be able to find somewhere to take him, i dont want him to suffer.

I didnt know that pleco's also go up for air sometimes, thanks for the info!

Sam