The fish who thought he could fly

[jred]

Evening all,

So today I did my quick rounds on my aquariums and then I went out for breakfast with my girlfriend, having a pleasent Sunday morning. When I got home I decided to give my cichlids a morning snack but when I checked the tank, the temporary styrofoam cover I have on there was shifted from the back. I quickly counted my cichlids and none of my bigger guys were unaccounted for... Then I realized my giant pleco was no where to befound. I quickly grabbed a chair and a flashlight and looked behind my tank (which sits about 5-6 inches from the wall and sure enough he had JUMPED out of the tank and onto the floor. I quickly filled up a bucket with water (try to create as much turbulence as possible to increase the oxygen in the water - no idea if that is sound logic) and then quickly pulled him from behind and stuck him in. He started breathing which was a good sign and in about 20 mins he was moving in the bucket. I decided to drain a little water in my aquarium and then gentle dump him head first back into his home. So far he seems to be alive but very stressed and dehydrated (the mucus around his eyes was completely gone but it is slowly building back up). I am not sure what cause him to do something that crazy but I might have to find him a new home. I threw some 2x4's over the styrofoam for now, so no one else tries to "fly". Fish be crazy.

[guppyguy]

lol wow, good job on saving your fish from sure death. But wow why do fish jump there tanks from time to time we may never know.

[gabor129]

I did not have a problem with any of the freshwater fish, specially not with plecos! However I have lost quite a few fish to carpet surfing from my Saltwater tank! Good job on saving it! Lucky that you give snacks to your fish!

[jred]

Ya I can't believe it either, I rearranged the tank a little the other day and he doesn't really have any hiding spots (mbuna tank so there are alot of caves - many of which he doesn't fit into) so he has been having trouble finding good spots to relax. He does get bullied by two of the cichlids quite a bit and its hard to feed him because all the other fish get the food before it hits the bottom. He would probably do a lot better in a peacock aquarium where there is more open room, sadly I won't be getting one of those for a while. Not sure what to do with him but for now I'm going to let him rest (even the bullies are letting him be).

[gabor129]

You could feed him cukes, and squash, as well as any other veggie you can think of!!! I do not think the cichlids would eat that from it! just toss it in the micro for 30 sec, and it should sink! If not try a bit longer!

[jred]

Wow never thought about that, I always just scooped out the veg that the cichlids didn't eat - great tip Gabe, I will definitely try it. Pray to god he makes it or I might have to find a new pleco.

[gabor129]

hope he will make it! With more food maybe he stops being suicidal.....

[jred]

I think you pretty much nailed it. After I got home from work I find big Al (my flying pleco) beat up pretty bad, I think the bullies started up with him but he couldn't really swim away so his dorsal fin has a few hunks missing. So then I noticed him on the front of the glass and his underbelly is concaved in which I thought might be from the fall, but then I started wondering how much he had been eating in the last month (because he is always hiding in the back, I never actually saw him eat - I would just drop a bunch of wafers thinking a few would floating down to him after the cichlids stole a few but they must have been snagging them all). I'm thinking he was hungry and as a desperate measure he tried to leap and find food (hence why he also has no strength). Therefore I quickly filled up a 20 gal long halfway and transferred him over, I dumped in some food (wafers/pellets/cucumber) and kept replacing him on top of the food. He wasn't eating and was moving weird so I am praying he makes it. If he does survive, he is up for adoption to anyone who can accommodate him (big tank with docile residents). If you guys have any tips please let me know, cheers.

[Deleted]

What size and type of Pleco is this?

Based on the info you provided I would create a number of caves or hiding spots for the fish to retreat to if bothered. During the interim, it is wise to isolate him. Do you have any wood in the isolation tank for the fish to gnaw on? If not eating, try the cucumber as suggested by Gabe. Fresh veggies are usually a welcome sight for most Plecos. You can also add a bit of tea tree oil (1 drop) or could buy Melafix, which is far more expensive, to aid in the healing process.

[Admin]

Nice save, good thing you got there in time