My discus is sick!! :(

Question
QUESTION: i came home from work today and i noticed that there was a white protrusion on my discus!! it looks like a white worm/string thing that is attached to his body!! please help if you have any clue on what this is!!
ANSWER: Hi Adam,
 Where is it attached to his body?

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


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: it his on his body, on his right side. almost exactly on his lateral line, half way between his gills and his tail

Answer
Hi Adam,
 Yikes!   That certainly sounds like a parasitic worm, e.g., something like an anchor worm. There are treatments for such things, but be careful not to overdose because many of the treatments are quite hard on the fish.  Personally, I have never encountered such a worm.  

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