cory with odd object (growth or parasite)

Question
tank has been set up since January of 2006, 29 gallon has one growing pleco 3 or 4 corys, 4 neons a few baby platys 1-2 otos 3 small bala sharks and one beautiful betta

on the hindquarter of one of the corys...a half round looks obtrusion or growth with a
?porcupine?-like (or hedgehog) texture. Very odd. could it be a parasite?
I have seen lots of bad stuff, this is really strange and hopefully not as hideous as the camallanus worm which took my Blue and one of my female bettas.
Can you identify it for me? I cannot get pictures as my little guys hide from me I have given them many hiding places..
I do regular gravel vacs and water changes. The water ran a bit pink in the nitrates last week as I was away and my partner tends to overfeed..
but this I believe could be a parasite and am wondering if I can remove it with tweezers if I were to net the little guy..

Answer
Hi Nancy;

What color is the spot? If it's greenish or brownish it's probably a fish louse (argulus). They are usually oval shaped. If it's whitish or yellowish and fuzzy-looking, it is a fungus from an injury. Either one could be tweezed off but watch for more argulus if it was that. If it was fungus, treat with an antifungal to kill the rest of it and prevent recurrence.

Here is a link with photos of argulus;

http://tinyurl.com/ygqtg8

Here are photos of a fungus known as saprolegnia;

http://tinyurl.com/y8k2p8

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins