Super Red under the weather

[r0bb072]

Hey,

I'm a little worried by my SRB Pleco today. I bought her small and she's been with us for about 6 months. Today I've noticed she's not moving very much. Spends much of the time in one place on the sand. This is very odd compared to a normal day when she feeds and races constantly.

I've tested the water and it is all perfect as i can see. The temp is a good 25 deg as it should be and i fed them today for the first time in 3 days.

Has anyone with Super Reds noticed a similar thing?

thanks in advance

J

[Gingerlove05]

It might be a little warm for them around 25C, also what have you been feeding them? Are they breathing normally (not rapid)?
My BN used to be very active when she was young not so much now shes a bit older, but as soon as any fresh veg (cucumber, courgette, broccoli stalk, spinach) goes in shes out in about 5 mins.

[r0bb072]

@Gingerlove05
thanks for the note.

Interesting! I was advised by Maidenhead Aquatics that 25 deg was perfect for them. I was actually after platies and when i said the water temp was 22, they refused to sell them to me and so we settled on the SRN. the breathing does look a little rapid yes. I'm a bit worried now.

Yes, i do feed peeled tomatoes and she loves them. the other fish actually eat the flakes, shrimp ad blood worm. she doesn't seem to take to them but Veggies - yes!

[r0bb072]

@Gingerlove05

do you think i should move her into a separate tank for a while? perhaps she's stressed?

[plankton]

25C is too warm for all your fish on the signature list - turn it down slowly (over a week) to 22C.
Platies are fine at 22C, they can take it a bit warmer, but I don't understand why they wouldn't sell you them.....???
You need more minerals for the BN than in tomatoes. Cucumber and courgette are great, courgette has more fibre than cucumber.
I'd leave her(?) where she is.

[r0bb072]

@plankton @Gingerlove05

Thanks for your note. Ok i will turn it down a few degs per day.
I'll get my Veggie wife on the case -
Yes, i think it's a she. not too many bristles that i can see, if any...

[r0bb072]

she's picked up in the last half an hour now. commenced her daily zoom, albeit rather late in the day. She's also started sticking to the glass again, which i'm hoping is a good sign.
i've dropped some peas in there for this evening and i'll sort out the courgette tomorrow.
i'm feeling a lot better now, thanks for the advice! appreciated.

[Stephen]

I was advised by Maidenhead Aquatics that 25 deg was perfect for them. I was actually after platies and when i said the water temp was 22, they refused to sell them to me and so we settled on the SRN.

It is sad when a LFS give poor advice, likely the person had little experience.
Bristlenose pleco are best at around 23C long-term.
Platy are also best at around 22/23C long-term, so I do not understand why the LFS refused to sell them to you.
Guppy are best at 20-23C
White Cloud Mountain Minnows are best at 16-20C
Zebra danios are best at 20-23C

The reduced temperature should benefit all the fish long-term except the WCMM which really needs cooler water.

All the best

[r0bb072]

I was advised by Maidenhead Aquatics that 25 deg was perfect for them. I was actually after platies and when i said the water temp was 22, they refused to sell them to me and so we settled on the SRN.

It is sad when a LFS give poor advice, likely the person had little experience.

Agreed @Stephen It did have it around 22/23 before based upon what the web said and was surprised when i supposedly had it wrong. The thing is, the lady in the shop convinced me the buy the SRN on the back of her ownership of them. The shop in question, in Stains, has all of their fish at a constant 25 degs, or so they said. Inexperienced goes both ways i think. Mine included. i should have stuck to my guns.

On this occasion i may have gotten away with it. it's now at 24 and will drop further hopefully in the coming days. It also might help with the sudden growth of black beard algae and snail shagging..

[r0bb072]

Courgette is now in... had to weight it down with Supa 10 and now they look like medallions, but hey... It's creating interest.