Gibicep

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I have a plec about 5/6" he has a red lump where is poo comes from he is still going to the loo and seems uncomfortable if it touches the floor etc.  I have spoke to the vet who said it sounds like a tumor and will put it down for me.  Is there any hope I am very fond of Jolson, please help if you can
Kind regards
Joy

ANSWER: Hi Joy,

I have seen many, MANY things on plecos that are not tumors growing out of their skin.  Usually it's a fluke or a parasite.

Please take the pleco and put him into a hospital tank.  Buy another aquarium...5 gallons.  They're cheap.  Put a heater on it, and a filter.  Heat it to 80 degrees and put the pleco into it.

Go online or to a local store and purchase Prazi Pro.  Dose that hospital tank according to directions.  Follow it through.

Make sure you feed the pleco while you treat his tank.

I believe this is a parasite, and not a tumor.

It can also be caused by water quality issues.  You can change that by cleaning his tank.  DO that while he's in the hospital tank getting treated.

He will probably be just fine.  It's probably parasitic.

:)

Renee

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

QUESTION: Renee
Sorry to pester but one more quick question with my plec I have 9 baby fry molly's 4 week old, am I safe transfering the babies (in their breeder box)to my large tank with other fish or with my plec having a parasite could they be infected too?  They are in a 40ltr awaiting transfer to 215ltr tank, I was waiting for the new tank 3mth old now to settle before I transfered plec and babies.  Obviously I will be putting plec in 5 gal tank and treating it as advised.

Kind regards
Joy

Answer
Hi Joy,

The babies are very young.  4 weeks old, they're just now getting an immune system to the natural system around them and no, I don't advise transferring them in with the pleco.  They should be housed separately while he's treated.

Mollies can be given salt if you are concerned that they will get a parasite during the transfer.  I have full marine mollies.  Mine are hybridized between 3/4 species of molly.  They are orange, black spotted dalmations with lyretails.  Kind of interesting...and live in full saltwater systems.  Mollies are brackish fish and do require salt in their water.

I think the 5 gallon tank for the pleco is a great idea and will be perfectly sized to use as a hospital tank anytime you need it in the future.

Happy fish-keeping.

Renee