"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
he
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.