Pleco/Convict fungus

Question
We have a 55 gallon tank with 5 convicts and 2 plecos of different sizes. The 2 plecos are getting a white fungus on their mouth that looks something like an anenome with little arms. One is so big I'm worried he's not getting enough food because how much room it takes up around his mouth. And a couple of the convicts have white growths on their fins. Do you know what this could be and how to treat them? I can't stand the thought of them being uncomfortable or in pain and I know that can't possibly be a treat to deal with.

Answer
Hi Aren,
  Are you sure that this is a fungus on the catfish and not just bristles?  Bristlenose catfishes get anemone-like bristles all around the mouth.  Males get more bristles than females.  Can you send me a photo?
Send it to the email below.

-- Ron
 rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
 Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>