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I have noticed that my 1 plecostomus (who is about 3.5 inches) has something that looks very much like epilepsy. When I turn the tank light on to feed my community, this 1 pleco gets spastic, then stiffens up, flips upside down and lays on the gravel upside down twitching for about 10 minutes. Then he rights himself and acts totally normal ... until the next time I turn on the light. I know with people, there is a condition called photosensitive epilepsy where seizures are brought on by flickering light (which my tank light does before it turns on). Anyway, just curious if anyone else out there has ever had what appeared to be an epileptic fish. My fish in question seems normal otherwise (eats, is active, growing). Thanks.

Plecs are very Nocturnal Fish, and is obviously getting spooked by the lights coming on....Are there enough hiding places for him to swim too when he's spooked? maybe going upside down, he thinks he's hiding? Try turning on the room light or another light, before the tank light to warn him lights are about to come on.....As far as a YES/NO answer to your question, I dont know....

Had had a juvie plec that displayed this behavior. Then on day he spasmed so much (I think he gave himself a heart attack) he died.

As long as yours doesn't do this constantly (like mine did) I wouldn't worry.

try turning a room light on to light up the tank a little bit before turning on the light.

it isnt good for fish to go from total darkness to total light in a short period of time.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Very much appreciated.

I do make sure to always have the room lights on well before turning on the tank light, as well as some light coming in through the windows. None of the other fish seem startled when I turn the tank light on, as I do try to ease the transition for them all as I can relate to how shocking it would be to go from total darkness to full light. I am just afraid the 1 pleco has epilepsy (or something that resembles it). Not much one could do about it, other than keep an eye on him and make sure he's comfy and healthy otherwise, I guess. None of the other fish seem to bother him or mind. And the fish in question seems perfectly healthy otherwise, he eats, is active at night, and is growing.

My tank is heavily planted with artificials that provide more than adequate coverage for places to hide. My other pleco knows how to hide when the light comes on, without having seizures. Sounds like the member phoneshannen had a pleco with the same problem. How long did your fish live like that?

Thanks again to everyone.