7+ yo Pleco lifeless and slow breathing

[readyforno2]

We have a Pleco around the length of my forearm who for the last few days has been lying curled up around the tank. He has barely moved since last night.
There are no obvious signs of illness.
Have tested the water etc and everything's fine, the tank hasn't had anything new introduced for about 4/5 months and there haven't been any other deaths.
We have had him for at least 7 years from when he was only a couple of inches long.
Any ideas?

If there are no obvious signs the my guess would be something bacterial. Tough to say. Is he eating and pooping OK?

He's not really eating to be honest. I know they can live till around 20-30 but I don 't know how old they are when you get them in pet shops etc.
Could it just be old age? I'm wondering if it could be something to do with his swim bladder.

I don't think it could be old age- the fish in aquatic stores are usually babies. Swim bladders are organs that can be affected by a few different things like viruses, infections etc. 'Swim bladder' on its own is not a disease despite some manufacturers selling meds that will treat 'swim bladder'.

You said he's curled up- what do you mean by that? Any chance you can get a photo?

I can't put up a photo as an on my phone but his tail is all curled up underneath him and his head is towards the top of the tank.
The reason I said his swim bladder is that he seems to be struggling to keep himself upright, the other fish in the tank seem to be hassling him and when he tries to get away he kind of flops, either on his side or upside down.
I can't isolate him as he is so big and I have nowhere to put him.

So he's on his back? Sorry, trying to picture what you mean and failing.

If he's having trouble staying upright then it could be that his swim bladder's been affected by an infection or something.

Poor pleco , doesn't sound good, hope you can find out what it is and if its treatable.

Sorry I haven't really explained it very well. He just doesn't seem to have a lot of control over himself. He has moved from the position he was in when I first posted and is currently lying on the bottom of the tank on his side.
I have put some anti bacterial treatment into the tank along with some anti stress treatment so all I can do is wait I suppose. Fingers crossed he gets better. Thanks for the advice

Sorry to be of no help, but I hope he gets better soon. It's horrible seeing a pet in distress.

Well, he didn't make it

Oh no :( Sorry for your loss.

Oh no! :( Sorry about that, ready.

Thank you both