I noticed some type of growth on the lateral fins of my pleco today. I am unsure what type he is; he is light gray with black lengthwise stripes and red eyes. The lfs said he was a bumblebee pleco, but I am unsure. I am sorry, but no pics as of yet. The growth itself is a pinkish-beige color and looked like a glob of oatmeal. I keep him in my 10 gal feeder tank with about 20 guppies; 1/2 of which are fry. None of the guppies have this on them and all the fish have been in the tank for 2-3 months. I wanted to grab a hold of him and pull this stuff off, but I wanted to first find out what it could be and if that was a wise move or better to medicate. Please let me know if anyone can help. Thanks Tom
Problem with my pleco
- Thread starter nero6370
- Start date
Alright. If you want a healthy fish, you'll first need a healthy tank. One inch per gallon of slim-bodied fish is a good start. So your twenty guppies are a bit much, there.
It is likely that this growth is partly due to chemical or spacial stress. As far as what it is, probably a benign tumor, but without more info (how long has it been there, how fast did it grow...) it's hard to say.
If he were mine (sounds like a panaque) I'd put him into a clean tank with some wood to eat, snip that growth off (if it doesn't look like a critical location) and hit him with melafix. No salt, though, I believe the majority of catfish are better off without it.
Please, shoot more info at us. Do you know your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? How about the pH? Anything helps. What sort of filter? etc...
It is likely that this growth is partly due to chemical or spacial stress. As far as what it is, probably a benign tumor, but without more info (how long has it been there, how fast did it grow...) it's hard to say.
If he were mine (sounds like a panaque) I'd put him into a clean tank with some wood to eat, snip that growth off (if it doesn't look like a critical location) and hit him with melafix. No salt, though, I believe the majority of catfish are better off without it.
Please, shoot more info at us. Do you know your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? How about the pH? Anything helps. What sort of filter? etc...
Ok, more info... first off, I will have the wife test the water today and get those results posted. My guppies may be a factor, but they are tiny. The 6 adults are no bigger than a Bic pen cap and the fry are less than half that size. As far as filtration, I have a Penguin 150 bio wheel, which is good for up to a 20 gallon tank (so the box says). The tank has a gravel bed, a couple of med size shells, a terra cotte pot for the pleco (he was in a plastic treasure chest which I moved the other day and saw the growth), and an Amazon sword plant. The plant is fairly healthy, except for some brown spots here and there and some nibble marks. The water is very clear and always has been, but I know that doesn't mean much. The temp is about 72-73 degrees, very little algae. I have been feeding him the sinking Hikari algae wafers and some potato slices once in a while. Except for the test results, I don't know what else to add at the moment. Please let me know.
pictures would really help. could it be a fungus growth, they are ususally whiteish greyish but i have seen a more fleshy coloured one. is it like cotton? there are a lot of medications for this, and you'll have to treat the tank. jungle does a anti fungal treatment that works very well. or is it like a fleshy growth?
the problem is probably assciated with bad water so i would check your water params... nitrates pH etc etc.
id turn your temp up to about 80, but still keep a good amount of oxygen flow, add some melafix and some salt for now.
i also suggest that you find out the identification of your pleco so that you can find out how to care for it properly, as every species has different needs
the problem is probably assciated with bad water so i would check your water params... nitrates pH etc etc.
id turn your temp up to about 80, but still keep a good amount of oxygen flow, add some melafix and some salt for now.
i also suggest that you find out the identification of your pleco so that you can find out how to care for it properly, as every species has different needs
how big is the pleco? you'll also want to move him out of the 10 gallon. only a few plecos would be fine in a 10g(those which get only about 4in.), but even then, they would have to be the only fish since they are poop factories.
The wife and I pulled off the growth; it was more fleshy then cotton-like. A very small amount of blood came from him, but it stopped almost immediately. The growth almost resembles a piece of fat from a pork chop. We added melafix to the tank and we have some ick med but haven't added that yet. He seems to be doing fine at the moment.