Please help

[sarawb]

Please help!!! My plecos are dying. Their belly turns black. I have no idea what is causing this. I have attached pictures for you to see. I would appreciate any help....have no idea what to do for them.
Sara

[Janne]

Bacteria infections in their intestines, clean the aquarium through vaccum cleaning the gravel and change 50-70% of water, no food until they get better. Metronidazol will help some of them but you have to fix what is caused their problem first, which is to small or not enough frequent water changes, not any effective filter etc.

Janne

[sarawb]

Thank you SO much for your help. We change the water. Have sponge filters. We will try the meds you told us about. Again, I really appreciate your help.
Sara

[pLaurent1251]

How much water do you change each time, and how often?
What are your water parameters?

[MatsP]

It is my belief that some of this could also be caused by too much protein in the diet [or perhaps conversely - not enough fibre in the diet]. But water quality is certainly also an issue.

--
Mats

[zanderville]

Sara
What size tank, bare bottom or gravel,what foods are fed,what temp is tank kept at,how often are water changes and how much .How long has tank been set up and what other fish with them.Do you check water perameters?