Help I think my rubber lipped pleco is about to die

[oPleco]

Hello,

I recently picked up a rubber lipped pleco, and he has developed a big white blotch where his fin meets his body. Im sure he has another one. It does not appear to be ich. Please help me. I can take pictures if needed.

 

[Andy Sager]

Pictures of the area will definitely help. Get as clear and close up pics as you can.

 

[oPleco]

Sorry for the late reply, I was bogged down with school. Here are the images:
I hope this works.

 

[Andy Sager]

That looks like a fungus on him and is generally caused by a wound that gets infected. I recommend this to treat him: Expel-F . Follow the directions

 

[oPleco]

Thank you

 

[oPleco]

Also, do I need a med tank for the pleco if I am to use this
?

 

[Andy Sager]

Also, do I need a med tank for the pleco if I am to use this
?

it's strongly suggested by Fritz. If you need help on how to set up a hospital tank, I have a thread about it here: Quarantine tanks and Hospital tanks, are they really different? at post #2

 

[oPleco]

Hello Andy Sager,

A lot has been going on lately since I last posted, I got a larger, 30 gallon fish tank, (about to make it my main fish tank)l. and a miracle.
My pleco had a really big fungal infection, so right as I was about to order the medicine, I decided to check on him. He was out in the open, with the injury 3x smaller than it originally was. I tried to take a picture, but by that time he ran away, although I still got a few of him hiding. It is hard to see, but the injury is almost gone. With this in mind, should I still purchase the anti fungal medications? Please let me know as soon as possible. I was also wondering weather I should turn my smaller, 10 gal tank into a med tank.


Thank you

 

[Andy Sager]

Hello Andy Sager,

A lot has been going on lately since I last posted, I got a larger, 30 gallon fish tank, (about to make it my main fish tank)l. and a miracle.
My pleco had a really big fungal infection, so right as I was about to order the medicine, I decided to check on him. He was out in the open, with the injury 3x smaller than it originally was. I tried to take a picture, but by that time he ran away, although I still got a few of him hiding. It is hard to see, but the injury is almost gone. With this in mind, should I still purchase the anti fungal medications? Please let me know as soon as possible. I was also wondering weather I should turn my smaller, 10 gal tank into a med tank.


Thank you

If you know the wound is definitely getting smaller, a good clean environment can do wonders for healing fish. Unfortunately with fungus, because it's growing ON a surface rather than in the surface, it can get knocked off so that doesn't mean the wound is getting better just because the fungus ball is gone. I would say this: keep an eye on it and if the fungus does not return in the 48-72 hours and the wound is healing, you can skip the medicine. If you see any sign of the wound becoming more infected ( i.e. bleeding, red edges to the wound), proceed with the medication in the 10 gal.
It's always a good idea to keep a spare tank around to use as a hospital tank. What I do with my tanks is measure out the exact amount of water that is going into the tank because the size descriptions on the tanks are not what their real capacity is. ( i.e a 10 gallon tank does not hold 10 gallons of actual water. ) Since you are using a 10 and most medications are dosed for 10 gallons of actual water, pick a spot where you will always use this 10 gal tank and then measure out 5, 6, 7 and 8 gallons of water and mark the tank at these levels. See enclosed pic. If you are are using a med for 10 gals, cut the dose in half for 5 gallons of water. If you are using something for 3 gallons of water, double it and fill your tank to 6 gallons of water, and so on.