Sailfin Plecs (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps)

[The Wombat]

Hi All,

I have had 2 quite large sailfin plecs die on me over the last 6 weeks or so.

I've had 3 plecs in a 6 foot display tank for around 9 years now (got them when they were only about 40mm) and they have reached a decent size 200mm - 250mm. In the last 6 weeks 2 have just rolled over and died. All the other fish in the tank are in excellent health and are looked after well.

On inspecting the last one to die it appeared it be old age as the fins appeared worse for wear but not as if they had been attacked. They also appeared to be functioning well too, right up until the final hour.

I have read that they can live as long as 20 years. So I'm at a loss as to what to correct, if I have done something to kill them.

Could anyone with experience in plecs offer some insight as to what went wrong?

cheers.