Rusty Plecs an odd situation

Gozza · Post by **Gozza** » 15 Feb 2007, 18:08

I have a total of 4 rusty plecs (L-077) split between two 100 litre tanks. the filtration system is common to the two tanks. In one of the tanks the fish are healthy and active, but in the other tank the fish look under nourished. both tanks have been recieving the same quantity and type of feeds. Which have included Sera plec tablets and vegetables. does anyone have any ideas why two of them do not appear to be feeding normally. the affected fish are active they just look decidely skinny with their pronouced concave bellies.

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 16 Feb 2007, 12:54

Hi!

Giving that these fish grow up to ~25cm they have nothing to do in 100liters...

The ones that look skinny might jsut be suffering from being submissive... which could be fine in a much bigger tank but won't be in such small volume!!

Also have you put some driftwood in both tanks??
Does each fish has it own place to hide??
Cheers
Yann

Gozza · Post by **Gozza** » 17 Feb 2007, 19:30

I know these fish grow large, the tanks are not standard proportions though they are approx 2x2x1 feet and there are two catfish in each of these tanks and no other types of fish total volume of system is about 250 litres. At present the fish are roughly 4cm long standard length, and will only be in the system for another 3 months. Both tanks have nearly identical furnishings and there is a wide variety caves and mompani wood and bog wood. I thought they might being submissive initially but the two that are affected are in the same tank, the others which are unaffected are in a separate tank. I obviously don't want them wasting away before my friend collects them. I did read an idea somewhere that if fish food is ground up the messed with egg whites. This mixture is then painted on to driftwood then left to dry overnight. then the object is placed into the tank then the fish can eat as they please. Do you think this might work?

grokefish · Post by **grokefish** » 17 Feb 2007, 19:55

I've heard of this plan too but with gelatine not eggs but I too have never tried it, it sounds like a recipe for sht water quality. But I may be wrong.

Post by **Shane** » 18 Feb 2007, 17:41

I did read an idea somewhere that if fish food is ground up the messed with egg whites. This mixture is then painted on to driftwood then left to dry overnight. then the object is placed into the tank then the fish can eat as they please. Do you think this might work?

Norbert Flauger taught me that trick some years ago to get Chaetostoma to feed in captivity. It can work with wild fish that have a hard time accepting dry foods. Especially in a place wher frozen or live foods are not for sale.
-Shane

Gozza · Post by **Gozza** » 18 Feb 2007, 19:21

I think ill give this technique a go on a small scale, I've got a pretty large capacity filter on the tanks but I'll keep an eye on the water quality anyway. I 'll keep you updated on how it all turns out. The fish today still seem active and they aren't jumpy at all the whole thing seems very strange. Anyway thanks for your input.