I have a roughly 10 year old sailfin plec (Mr Suckyfish) that has been fine and healthy until the last few days he's seemed grumpy and off his food.

His body is 8 inches long, and 2 1/2 inches wide, until now he's been sturdy looking, and has always eaten well.

Now his belly is definitely looking hollow, and I'm really worried about him.

I've popped a couple of chunky slices of courgette into the tank, and some algae pellets. These pellets are small though - about 1/3 the size of his mouth, and he doesn't seem to like them.

What else can I do?

Tank volume 200l (Fluval Roma)
Water chemistry:
pH 7.6
Nitrates, Nitrites, and ammonia all 0

Tankmates
10 x rummy nose tetra
5 x glowlight tetra
7 x penguin tetra
6 x emperor tetra

Has he been eating OK the last few days? I know it might be tricky but have you seen him poop?

Is your nitrAte always zero?

No, the nitrate fluctuates a little, but the last test (yesterday) was 0 - I'll do another test tomorrow and see what's going on. Or maybe in a minute. AGH!

Anywho, yes, he pooed a couple of days ago - and he's pretty regular! He makes massive amounts of poo, festooning the tank with it like bunting!

He has eaten recently, but he's been a bit grumpy. Or my interpretation of grumpy - swooshing about the tank quickly, lying around with his fin down, generally seeming out of sorts.

Let me go and rinse my test tubes and do a test. I'm worried now!

Your fella may have worms, fish do get worms. Ask your vet for a good fish wormer or look online for mainstream remedies.

OK, water is:

pH 7.4
Ammonia 0
NitrIte 0
NitrAte somewhere between 0 - 5.0 ppm

Well, Mr Sucky is looking alive but still not himself. He's eaten some courgette, and his belly is less sunken.

I've not seen him poo yet.

(God, my life has come to waiting for a fish to poo!)

Quote:

How is he looking now? Any change? FX he's looking better

He's much perkier - better colour, belly nice and solid again, swooshing about the tank in a generally active fashion.

The courgette seems to be appreciated, particularly now it's gone a bit mushy (urgh) - think I'll pop some peas in tomorrow, and fish the rest of the courgette out.

Thanks for help, folks!

Best wishes

Glad to hear he's looking better I'm no expert on plecs but you might be interested in our article about fishy diets, if he's a bit fussy about food you might find something in there that will appeal

http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles_52/fish-diet.htm