spiny monster

naturalart · Post by **naturalart** » 23 Nov 2006, 17:19

I have recently stumbled upon a Pseudacanthicus spinosus at a lfs and at such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. But now that I've got the little fella (4") home and in 'Q' it hasn't eatin much that I can detect: I tried zuchinni, algea wafers, 'bloodworms'. It's been about a week and I'm starting to get worried.

When I see the underside it looks a little red or inflammed around the base of the pectoral and pelvic fins. Could it be a virus or bacterial infection? or is this just normal coloration? I've seen this on other fish with fairly translucent skin but I don't know if this is normal on P. spinosus. Water perameters: ph7, gh5, kh4, Temp 24˚C

Information is 'scant' so any help would be appreciated.

fish fodder · Post by **fish fodder** » 23 Nov 2006, 17:25

first and foremost, p spinous is a carnivore and feeding it veg wont make it eat, try some prawns! mine love em. be wary if you have any other plecs in your tank as the spiny monster will not hesitate to beat them up if they get too close.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 23 Nov 2006, 17:26

Temp looks a bit low: Cat-eLog says 25-28'C.

Food should be meaty: see

Not sure if the redness on fins is normal or not.

Most pleco's don't eat much the first few days...

--
Mats

Jon · Post by **Jon** » 23 Nov 2006, 18:03

P. spinosus do have a tinge or light red around the fins.

naturalart · Post by **naturalart** » 24 Nov 2006, 19:19

Thanks guy's for the responses. It's in a bare 20gal by itself. I've introduced some driftwood and thinking about some dither fish to make it feel more comfortable. I'll raise the temp and try some more meaty fair. Will let you know how it goes

Also considering treating for gill flukes with a formalin dip?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 27 Nov 2006, 11:16

Do you have ANY evidence of gill flukes? If you don't have, then don't treat it.

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Mats

TheHypnotoad · Post by **TheHypnotoad** » 01 Dec 2006, 00:33

The Hypnotoad agrees, treating fish for diseases that may not be there is not good practice.
Ask the LFS what they were feeding him.
If they cannot answer this question then do not return to this LFS they are stoopid.
Try the above mentioned prawns and also try carnovore sticks, these will initially float and then sink, my carnivorous plecs love this kind of fodder.

naturalart · Post by **naturalart** » 06 Dec 2006, 15:59

Thanks all for the suggestions, I agree with that thinking as well, 'if it aint broke dont fix it', so I don't think I'll be medicating up to this point.
To update: I plopped in a bigger heater(100w) and raised the temp to 26˚C, its latched onto a piece of driftwood I dropped in the tank as well. The only thing I can detect that it is eating is live black worms. I've tried steamed prawns and it seems not to touch the stuff. If your still reading fishfodder(or anyone else for that matter), how are you preparing and presenting it to your fish? I plan on trying the carnivore sticks, just haven't had time to go looking. The fish is moving around the tank more and I am feeling better about its well-being. Here's a pic [img]Pspinosus.jpg[/img]

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 06 Dec 2006, 16:05

I would just steam/cook the prawn, and then just let it sink to the bottom near to where the fish likes to hide.

If you have problems with the prawn moving about in the tank (due to water current from powerhead for example), you can use a teaspoon to skewer the prawn and that way keep it from "disappearing".

Most plecos are "neophobic", which means that they are afraid of new things - they don't necessarily realize that "new stuff" is good food, so try several times before calling something "not good food".

--
Mats

naturalart · Post by **naturalart** » 30 Jan 2007, 08:23

I want to thank all who offered good advice on this fish, but unfortunatly it died due to a power outage that lasted for 4 days up here. It caught me unprepared and I am very sad I lost this beautiful fish.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 30 Jan 2007, 10:10

Sorry for your losses. Unfortunately, that sort of power-cut can cause devastation to anyones aquatic friends.

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Mats

naturalart · Post by **naturalart** » 03 Feb 2007, 06:37

thanks MatsP. I'll be back in the hunt for more cats
but gotta take some time out in observance for the fish I lost. I think you know how it goes.

Clay