Help! Sick Pleco...

[Caballero]

I got home last night and noticed my 8", nine year old pleco has what appears to be a bloody tumor protruding from his "buttocks"! I think he is a common or maybe a Gibby in a 29 Gallon community tank with barbs, tetra's and a pink kisser...What should I do? His belly appears full, and he isn't acting funny, but I certainly don't want to lose him.

Do any of you guys know what it might be?

Thanks!

 

[Lupin]

Any pics of the tumor?
Water parameters?
Temperature?
Filtration?
Foods used?

 

[knifegill]

8", nine year old pleco has what appears to be a bloody tumor protruding from his "buttocks"! I think he is a common or maybe a Gibby in a 29 Gallon

I'd think he's done very well for what he's been through. It's not surprising he's dying at such a young age for having to live in such cramped quarters. You must be doing daily water changes on that poor tank to keep it running. How do you keep your nitrates below 40ppm in there?

 

[purplecandle]

It sounds like a prolapsed anus. I am not sure if that could happen to a pleco. A pic would help. If you don't have a pic, google images for "prolapsed anus fish". If you do not put the "fish", you might get images of human anuses

I'd think he's done very well for what he's been through. It's not surprising he's dying at such a young age for having to live in such cramped quarters. You must be doing daily water changes on that poor tank to keep it running. How do you keep your nitrates below 40ppm in there?

It may not even be a gibby. A gibby can be confused with several species a few of which max out at 12 inches or less. The Op may have gotten it at a walmart where all plecos are called commons, but I myself have seen several gibby look-alikes in walmart tanks.

But, I can agree that the tank is probably too small for an 8in pleco..it can be hard to keep the nitrates down in any pleco tank

 

[knifegill]

True, sometimes the true hypostumus turns up, but typically not in big box pet stores. With the stock list given, it sounds like the OP is limited to PetCo, Petsmart and the like. Just an assumption, perhaps the OP actually sought out those species from reputable dealers. I don't know.

Either way, step one is a water quality report as Lupin has requested.

 

[purplecandle]

True, sometimes the true hypostumus turns up, but typically not in big box pet stores. With the stock list given, it sounds like the OP is limited to PetCo, Petsmart and the like. Just an assumption, perhaps the OP actually sought out those species from reputable dealers. I don't know.

Either way, step one is a water quality report as Lupin has requested.

Agreed You know I have heard from fish keeppers older than myself that years ago Walmart was notorious for getting in rare/rarish plecos and selling them at the cost of commons But, nowadays they have better screening at the distributors that supply walmart.

 

[Caballero]

It sounds like a prolapsed anus. I am not sure if that could happen to a pleco. A pic would help. If you don't have a pic, google images for "prolapsed anus fish". If you do not put the "fish", you might get images of human anuses






It may not even be a gibby. A gibby can be confused with several species a few of which max out at 12 inches or less. The Op may have gotten it at a walmart where all plecos are called commons, but I myself have seen several gibby look-alikes in walmart tanks.

But, I can agree that the tank is probably too small for an 8in pleco..it can be hard to keep the nitrates down in any pleco tank

I actually "Googled" Prolapsed Anus and did put in the word fish for safety! That's hilarious.

Thank you all for your responses and recommendations! I didn't reply to Lupin because embarrassingly I never check my water quality. I use no UGF, have two HOB's Aqua Clear 1200 with Bio-Max Sponge and Whisper Poly Filter, a Whisper 20-40, and I provide additional oxygenation via a 28" Bubble Wand.

Happily, I treated him with Tetra Parasite Guard and the growth is almost GONE! He appears happy and healing. Again, thank you for your support.

I do need a bigger tank. this Oceanic had been "Bullet Proof" since 1984, so, I think I'll look at the Oceanic 57 Column....

Good Luck to all!

 

[Caballero]

I actually "Googled" Prolapsed Anus and did put in the word fish for safety! That's hilarious.

Thank you all for your responses and recommendations! I didn't reply to Lupin because embarrassingly I never check my water quality. I use no UGF, have two HOB's Aqua Clear 1200 with Bio-Max Sponge and Whisper Poly Filter, a Whisper 20-40, and I provide additional oxygenation via a 28" Bubble Wand. I do a weekly water change via a gravel siphon and use Prime Water Conditioner.

Happily, I treated him with Tetra Parasite Guard and the growth is almost GONE! He appears happy and healing. Again, thank you for your support.

I do need a bigger tank. this Oceanic had been "Bullet Proof" since 1984, so, I think I'll look at the Oceanic 57 Column....

Good Luck to all!