Medicate or not

[froggie]

Hi
I need some advice.
I have L183 and Peckoltia vittata, wild caught.
Should deworm them with Jungle Parasite clear tank buddies.
If yes should I use the full dose or half the dose?
I have them for almost a month now and they look fine.
Thanks

 

[Lornek8]

At this point I wouldn't. If they've been with you, are eating well & appear healthy then I would just hold until if/when you have problems. No need to unduely stress them at this point, may actually trigger problems rather than solve them.

Jungle Parasite Clear Tank Buddies can be treated at the regular dose, just make sure you have good aeration or to be safe, add more.

 

[froggie]

They are really very very shy, they only come out once all the lights are out. I mean total darkness.
Is this normal?
On the very rare occasion I do see the L183 and they are breathing heavily compared to my other Ancistrus in another tank. Is this because they stressed?
I will take your advice and hold on to the meds until I am sure there is a definite problem

 

[Lornek8]

Personalities between different plecs can vary. L183, in general, are a lot more shy than most other Ancistrus. P. vittata can be pretty outgoing but its really hard to evaluate the situation given the information provided. Shyness can be due to any numer of factors: personality, tank lighting levels, decor, tank arrangement, tankmates. The heavy breathing can also be due to stress & tank setup as well as possibly disease. As you say you hardly see them but when you do they are breathing heavily, I would think stress might be a factor in their breathing rate.

Again, i'd hold off until I saw something unusual. Discoloration (though could also be due to stress), unusual markings, damaged fins, emanciation or srange behavior (like suddenly seeing them out all the time) would be some things to keep an eye out for.