whats going on

[Fisheyes]

Four times I have introduced bristel nose plecos to my 50 gal with adult discus in it and four times the plecos have died .
Did I starve them or did the discus kill them?
These plecos have done well in other tanks I have but for some reason after about a week they seem to die off in the larger tank. I am not giving them any special food and was assuming they were eating the same as the discus. Blk worms flake food and blood worms.
Do they need a special diet? There was some brown algea in the tank .
Fisheyes :crazy: :furious:

[brewmaster15]

Ken I am not an expert by a long shot with plecos, but you may have starved them. That brown algae you mention is most likely not tru algae, but cynobacteria. I'm not sure if plecos can live exclusivesly on it. You may want to try adding somedriftwood and algae wafers, or pellets next time you try.

-al

[Carol_Roberts]

I think the brown stuff is diatoms. Cyanobacteria is dark blue/green. I don't know about the plecos.

[brewmaster15]

thanks Carol,
slipped a gear here.. the brown is diatom"tank smut" , The cyanobacteria is blue green...its commonly called blue green algae---DUH!! :)

-al

[Kenny]

Could be that they are starving, bristlenose are primaraly herbivorus. Too much protien in their diet can cause some serious stomach problems for these guys.
Do you have any wood in the large tank as this helps alot both in hiding and chewing to keep the stomach working properly. High quality wafers containing spirula (sp?) and spinnach are a good staple along with any algea that does show up. They do benefit from a protien source like blackworm occasionally, a favourite can be prawn.

Cheers

Kenny

[Sketchy]

...cut up a zucchini, blanche it (just enough to soften the skin a bit), and drop it in your tank. The bristlenose will be on it in minutes.