bristlenose pleco

hazard · Post by **hazard** » 26 Aug 2003, 01:16

Hi

My plecos look like they have open wounds on them or some kind of fungus. They are pink blotches that look like open sores. Water quality is good. Is there anyway to treat this?

1. I change 80% of the water every 3 day
2. I have had the fish 6 weeks and I remember a few having little wounds near there head. I just figured they were battle scars.
3. Of the 12 that I have maybe 5 have it
4. No new fish or plants
5. They are all by them selves but could be injuries from each other and they are not healing and spreading

I added Melafix yesterday.

Any help would be appreciated

Chris

Post by **Silurus** » 26 Aug 2003, 01:23

An 80% water change every 3 days sounds a little excessive. What is the water in your area like?

hazard · Post by **hazard** » 26 Aug 2003, 01:31

The water is generally hard. I have 11 plecos in a 15g and I take the water from other tanks with a low bioload. After I cure this the colony is getting split up into two tanks.

Chris

Post by **Silurus** » 26 Aug 2003, 01:42

Did you test the water? With a high pH and frequent large water changes, I am thinking that ammonia might be a problem.

hazard · Post by **hazard** » 26 Aug 2003, 01:44

I suppose. I will get a pH kit tomorrow.

Post by **Silurus** » 26 Aug 2003, 01:47

I think it's more important for you to test for ammonia (and nitrite) levels than the pH of the water.

hazard · Post by **hazard** » 26 Aug 2003, 02:06

I will test them and report back

Both are zero readings. For awhile I had put in a sponge filter from another tank and a powerhead for more current but I wasn't happy with it.

chris

Plec0maniac · Post by **Plec0maniac** » 26 Aug 2003, 04:47

looks like fungus.. U might have bad bacteria in ur tank, 80percent is too much, 50percent is quite olright olready

hazard · Post by **hazard** » 26 Aug 2003, 04:52

I will take it easy on the water changes.

Will melafix cure this or am I in trouble?
Chris

Vik · Post by **Vik** » 29 Aug 2003, 21:08

MelaFix is a teriffic thing, but I do not think it is going to solve your problem. If your water parameters are fine, they have an infection of some sort. I would do some reading on different infections and possibly try to treat the tank with something with a little more power than MelaFix. There is a product called Immune Plus (by Tropical Science) that I have started using and I have had less problems with my pleco tanks since I started using it. It is supposed to boost immune systems with natural vitamins and etc. It seems to really help my fish. I am not sure what treatment you need though.

Post by **Barbie** » 29 Aug 2003, 23:59

In my experience, antibacterial agents such as melafix will do very little against an established infection that the fish is struggling with. Definitely treat this tank with a good broad spectrum antibiotic, as soon as possible.

Barbie

hazard · Post by **hazard** » 30 Aug 2003, 02:54

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think the melafix is doing much. I ended up flushing 4 plecos over the last few days.

I have some Hexamit which is basically what I use on my tropheus. I will update when this is cured or all plecos are flushed

Chris

Post by **Barbie** » 30 Aug 2003, 03:29

Hexamit is more of a protozoal agent than an antibiotic, although it does have some antibiotic properties. It's efficacy is also greatly increased at higher temperatures, as it is a drug designed for use in people. I would definitely recommend an antiobitic instead, maybe Maracyn I and II used at the same time to be sure you were covered for gram negative and gram positive bacteria, IMO.

Barbie

hazard · Post by **hazard** » 30 Aug 2003, 03:33

I will get some maraycn tomorrow

Thanks
Chris