Is this fungus?

[Piranha_Tim]

(I Apologies because I don't have a camera.)

So I got a Pleco.

Unfortunally I am unable to tell you what kind, however the local fish shop said it was "A type of of bushy nose".

When I got the pleco the woman serving me gave me one with slightly different appearance ("light spots on its cheeks as the woman put it").

I have noticed the spots change.

The spot has gotten lighter in color (more white-ish) and when I shine a light on it .. The spot looks raised and has what looks like super tiny hairs on it.

It has been 3 days and no other fish have shown any signs of contracting anything.

Some have told me (When asking if this was ich) it could be the bristles coming through.

The white dot is about as big as this 0 <-- that zero.

It has changed from a light patch to this in 2 days.

Does this sound like fungus? Or is my Pleco just becoming a man ha ha

I went back to the fish shop and none of the other Plecos have any sign of this and the woman was unsure if what I described was bristles coming out.

 

[Piranha_Tim]

Ok so I am sure the Pleco I bought has Fungal it is exactly as described

- cotton looking
- usually following injury

Which are both true.

I have tested my water and the specs where great.

Which wasn't a surprise as I am an avid water changer and I also like to do a water change when introducing a new fish to the tank.

So tomorrow I am going to buy a fungal med while this is a small problem.

Anyone recommend a med?

 

[Lupin]

True fungal infections are rare. Without the pic, unfortunately, we cannot proceed to telling you the exact cause and then treat it just in case we treatthe fish with a wrong medicine which can kill it in the process. Look at columnaris in one of the sticky threads of this section and see if it matches. Most of the time, what was diagnosed initially as fungus is bacterial infection albeit columnaris.

 

[Piranha_Tim]

I don't have a camera so I am stuck there.

if I described it.

A lighter area where colours are dulled and is roughly the size of this zero 0.

On extremely close inspection I can see what looks like clearish hairs coming out of the white area.

It is located on the top part of the Pleco half way between the eye and the most front edge of the pleco.

If I go through the symptoms

# White spots on mouth, edges of scales, and fins [NO]
# Cottony growth that eats away at the mouth [White spot with growth on upper side between eye and most front part of the fish So not on mouth but on fish]
# Fins disintegrate beginning at the edges [The fins look tattered but the fish has been attacked due to territory disputes]
# 'Saddleback' lesion near the dorsal fin [NO]
# Fungus often invades the affected skin [There is currently a cut on the underside of the pleco but is healing nicely]
# Rapid gilling in cases where gills are infected [NO]

None of the other fish in the tank are showing any signs and they have been in direct contact with the Pleco.

The local fish store has not reported any simular symptoms in the stock from the same tank.

I am a little unsure about what action I should be taking.

 

[Piranha_Tim]

Ok maybe lets look at it this way.

I hear Negative (something something can't remember) antibotics will cure either fin rot or Cotton Mouth (its going to be one of these being the only 2 that fit somewhat near the description).

Now if the Antibotics won't hurt the fish I could just throw it in and see what happens.

Now if it will cause discomfort well I will continue trying to diagnose it then.

 

[Piranha_Tim]

Sorry everyone I know its lame to try and do this without a picture but I just don't have a camera and I am trying to do something

 

[Lupin]

Bacterial infections are often contagious but this doesn't seem the case here. Have you isolated the pleco yet? If not, do it as soon as possible and keep monitoring it for more symptoms. Don't treat unless you know what exactly is the problem. For columnaris, you'd want meds that treat for gram-negative bacteria. Broad spectrum antibiotics such as Maracyn 2 are your best bets.

 

[Piranha_Tim]

I do not at this time have a spare tank.

I have purchase Maroxy but have not dosed.

As for contagion the Pleco has been with and in close proximity to all the tank mates for over 4 days.

If this information helps.

The time it taken to go from a pale spot to a white dot with hairs was approx. 1 1/2 days. Since then I have not seen any difference in growth or lose.

The plecos colour is good other then this.

Eats well and is active.

I have witnessed no odd behavour.

Ps. Thank you for helping.