Rubber lip pleco

Question

pleco spot   i have a 10 gallon set up with 8 neon tetra and one approximately 3 inch rubber lip pleco. he used to manage to make his way up onto the waterfall part of the filter but i have not seen him do it recently. i noticed a mark on his body that seemed to be a cut. i thought it could have possibly been from the plastic edge or something along the filter. anyways it has been about a week and there is now a white puss around the cut.

Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi Russ!

Judging from the picture you sent me, it could be that the the skin is still eroding away due to its injury and showing some of its flesh. Do not add any kind of salt in the water for disinfection because Plecos are scaleless fish and the salt will irritate them.
Remove the Pleco from that tank and gently place it in a quarantine tank (2-3 gallons). You need to remove it because if it turns into an infection, the bacteria won't spread to your other fish. Try the Tetra LifeGuard. It will neutralize and eliminate: fungus, ich/ick, harmful bacteria, parasites, etc. Next, you must buy the API StressCoat (most important). It helps AND speeds up the healing process and removes stress up to 40% (scientifically proven)!! In addition, it also replaces and boosts the protective slime of your fish and even neutralizes harmful metals and lowers and locks pH levels. You can purchase these items at almost any petstore (Ex.:Petsmart)
Feed it like you usually do. With some rest and treatment, it will heal.


Hope this helps!!! :D
~Sam