Megalechis thoracata behaving strangely/how old do they get?

[characinfan]

My Megalechis is scaring me. He is lying on the bottom with all his fins down and does not look like he's breathing. He is not reacting to me waving a hand in front of his face or opening the tank lid. (Normally he goes crazy looking for food when I open the lid). But when I reached in to touch him, he swam. He also occasionally goes up for air, but returns to lying on the bottom as before.

He looks otherwise healthy and is 7 years old. There have been no new fish introduced to the tank since I got him. The other inhabitant of the tank (a 27-year-old marbled headstander) is behaving normally.

Is my Megalechis sick? Is he nearing the end of his lifespan? This behaviour is not normal.

[characinfan]

OK, super weird -- it appears that he was just really sleepy yesterday. Today he is behaving normally.

[bekateen]

I've had fish do that before then recover. Can fish not "feel bad" some days? I expect they can. But it could be a sign for watching in the future.

Good luck, Eric

[Bas Pels]

You mention a "marbled headstander". Is that an Abramites hypselonotus? If so, I know I have still some 20 years with them

[Doradid]

Glad he's doing better. I've also been wondering how old they get. Does anyone have one older than 7 years?

[sedimentaryBear]

Hi, all! I realize that I am a little late to the party here...but I also have a cory (Corydoras paleatus) that has been acting very sluggish lately, with nearly identical symptoms to those described by characinfan. It is good to hear that it may just be a sign of advancing age rather than sickness.

And to answer Doradid's question, my peppered cory is at least 9 years old...maybe older, but I can't remember now exactly when I got it.

Thanks to all for your input on this thread...I appreciate it!

Ben