Why is my bristlenose pleco at the top of the tank and not eating?

Add some protein to his diet. This can be in the form of live, frozen or freeze dried blood worms or blackworms. You can also use your preferred search engine to look for "earthworm sticks" to feed him. Check the water quality as well (hardness, pH, etc.). Make adjustments as needed. Low water temps may cause stress and illness. Check your tank heater and temperature.

Check the water temperature. Cold water will affect activity in tropical fish. This species does best in waters between 72F and 82F. They also need wood in the tank. Provide a piece or length of mopani wood or other driftwood.

Thanks for reaching out about Spooky and including photos. These are fairly easy to maintain as long as algae is available. They are susceptible to cold environs so don't let temperature drop below 65 F. If algae in the tank is limited, algal wafers need to be provided. Aggressive fish as tank mates can be problematic, so plenty of hiding spots are recommended. Good luck.

Check the water temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in fish. Angels do best between 78 F and 80 F. You can soak food in garlic juice to stimulate his appetite. Next, check the water chemistry. This can be done using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 40ppm or less in a tank with live plants or 20 ppm or less in an unplanted tank. Partial water changes can be done, if indicated, to stabilize chemistry and/or maintain water quality. use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Although they do best in slightly acidic and soft water, they are quite adaptable. Fast him for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked and shelled green peas. if he is constipated then this should him him get regular again. A broad spectrum parasite medication, such as PraziPro, should be considered. You can find it in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully.

Check the water temperature first. Bettas are tropical fish and do best between 78 F and 80 F. Next, check water quality. This can be done by using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. The local pet store may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence ( 0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. Perform partial water changes if necessary. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Offer an appropriate diet as well. Bettas are carnivorous, so make sure the flake or pellet is not mainly vegetable matter. Hikari makes a great Betta diet in pellet form. You can also offer blood worms, shrimp or Daphnia to add variety to the diet.

Thanks for reaching out. The most important thing you can do is maintain optimal water quality, and this means getting a test kit and testing frequently. Diet is important, and all fish have a dietary requirement for vitamin C. Vitamin C is not stable in fish food for more that a few months, so write the date of purchase on the can of food, and discard after 3 months. It is also recommended to alternate brands of food, as they are all slightly different. Since they have an exoskeleton, the only easy way to measure body score is around the belly. If concave, too thin. Determining illness is tough, so visualizing eating and activity, and comparing it to the past. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out. Did you use tap water and dechlorinate prior to the water changed? The dechlorinating solutions do not work immediately can take several hours to lower levels of chlorine and chloramines (typically in tap water). Did you match water temperatures? Temperature shock of even a few degrees can lead to death or depressed immune system. A veterinary visit is recommended for the pleco to assess health and recommend treatments. Good luck.