Royal Pleco pregnant??? PHOTO PLEASE HELP

[GREENWOOD]

Fishophiles here are some photos taken this morning...what do you think and can you offer any advice....this weight gain has occurred in the last 11 days....heavy water changes and temperature has been increased due to new fish introductions...a diet heavier in algae (nori) and increased use of bloodworms in the short term (2 weeks). Water change frequency and amount has been done for the benefit of other species in the tank....The fish is quite active and has a L330 as a tankmate. Both specimen have exhibited sleeping in a head stand position which is new to both during the last month...The fish is about 11 inches in length...The L330 is about 12 inches in length.

[Chouin]

Or bloat ?

[GREENWOOD]

Well very active and good color
The two fish seem to be quite interested in each other...their also sleeping in a headstand position...and have huge appetites...fish rest within several inches of each other...this is new...all this has happened in the 10 days since changing the tank parameters for the new introductions...fish is also eating algae off of everything at a big time pace...

Also releaving themselves!!!

[Shane]

Looks like the fish has bloat from too much protein. I would not let Panaque have access to bloodworms more than once a month. Diet should be wood with occasional vegetables and maybe an algae wafer every week or two.
-Shane

[GREENWOOD]

She pooping and real active...eating NLS algaemax every AM..munching driftwood reagularly.....Much more inclinded to be near L330...L330 is exhibiting a helicopter type hover on tank bottom...tank Temp...water change frequency and volume(easily 2-3 time normal) ...food types and increase in food ..other fish are spawning in tank....water flow and O2 have been increased....all this has been done in last 11 days....I'm thinking we may have triggered something

Royal is working the algae available much or heavly than in the past....swimming often when in the dark

[GREENWOOD]

Just examined up close....she very aware of movement...moved away very quickly....isn't sluggish at all

[GREENWOOD]

This AM the fish readily took NLF Algaemax pellet formulation....If I feed it once a week it would have to be alot!!! L330 is on the same diet and very active.
Both fish take Nori and work the tank driftwood...the L330 has grown 2" in 12 months...12"+ now

[Narwhal72]

Put in a large cave and see if the male tries to coax her into it?