pleco with fungus?

[Chris B]

A week ago I got a pleco and on his side fins he now looks to have a couple
poofy white spots, almost like mini cotton balls. What is this? and what
can I do about it? and will it spread to my other fish?

[dc]

"Chris B" > wrote in
:

> A week ago I got a pleco and on his side fins he now looks to have a
> couple poofy white spots, almost like mini cotton balls. What is
> this? and what can I do about it? and will it spread to my other fish?

This is more likely a bacterial infection than a true fungal infection.
Either condition is not really communicable and is usually due to a
particular vulnerability in that particular fish either due to injury,
secondary illness, or chronic stress.

Depending on the severity of the condition you may be able to treat it
using aquarium salt at 1 tbsp for every 2.5 gallons or by using
Pima/Melafix. If the condition does not respond to this treatment you can
consider using something stronger such as antibiotics or chemical
treatments including Methylene Blue medications such as Furan-2. There are
a number of other highly effective chemical medications available for these
kind of simple external bacterial infections.

Keep in mind that something had to of initiated this infection in the first
place. Was your pleco being attacked by other fish? Did he look in poor
condition when you purchased it? Are your water parameters all in check?
The healthier your tank and the less stressed your fish are the easier it
is for them to fight off the infection and recover on their own.

[[email protected]]

Right, I had heard about stress on fish before. Well, I did not see
the spot when purchased, but isn't just taking the fish and
transporting it hope reason enough for stress? My tanks parameters
are fine, its been an established tank for several years and has nearly
all the original fish in it for that time. I'll try the salt route
first. I recall something about doign a salt bath on the fish
itself.... how is that done?

[carlrs]

wrote:
> Right, I had heard about stress on fish before. Well, I did not see
> the spot when purchased, but isn't just taking the fish and
> transporting it hope reason enough for stress? My tanks parameters
> are fine, its been an established tank for several years and has nearly
> all the original fish in it for that time. I'll try the salt route
> first. I recall something about doign a salt bath on the fish
> itself.... how is that done?

It is possible that the conditions where you bought your fish differ
greatly from your aquarium parameters, and this can cause stress. Make
sure your Pleco has a dark quiet spot to hide in during the day. Make
sure you have a proper calcium level (test by measuring KH), as fish
need more calcium during times of stress.
As for treatment, I would second the suggestion of the methylene blue,
used as a dip at double the regular dose.
I have more information about methylene blue and other medications
here:
http://aquarium-medictions.blogspot.com/

Carl

[swarvegorilla]

"carlrs" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> wrote:
>> Right, I had heard about stress on fish before. Well, I did not see
>> the spot when purchased, but isn't just taking the fish and
>> transporting it hope reason enough for stress? My tanks parameters
>> are fine, its been an established tank for several years and has nearly
>> all the original fish in it for that time. I'll try the salt route
>> first. I recall something about doign a salt bath on the fish
>> itself.... how is that done?
>
> It is possible that the conditions where you bought your fish differ
> greatly from your aquarium parameters, and this can cause stress. Make
> sure your Pleco has a dark quiet spot to hide in during the day. Make
> sure you have a proper calcium level (test by measuring KH), as fish
> need more calcium during times of stress.
> As for treatment, I would second the suggestion of the methylene blue,
> used as a dip at double the regular dose.
> I have more information about methylene blue and other medications
> here:
> http://aquarium-medictions.blogspot.com/
>
> Carl
>

A nice bit of driftwood he can rasp on might help too even better if he can
hide in/under it.
Dunno your species but they all usually like some.
If it's a fungus it could be growing out of a wound or around a wound.
Did the fish struggle in the net much during capture at the shop?
If so it may have pushed down the skin a bit around any hard spines.
This pushed down skin can die and fungus can grow on the dead tissue.
Not a problem for a healthy fish usually but on a weak one the fungus may
grow into flesh.
Keep the food and water changes up.
If it's still eating its a good sign.
Looks bad then med it, but if you can try do it in a smaller tank so you
use less meds ($) and don't expose everyone to chems.