chanel Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Hi everyone, I just noticed my butterfly pleco has a raised wound on his head and around his left eye. I am not sure if its from a fight or something more sinister like a disease. Any help would be appreciated. I have photos of it in my photo folder. Thanks, Chanel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Might be better off in the catfish forum, as a few of the catfish experts will check there more often than here. As for the pleco, it's a fairly common issue with L168/052 and I myself have lost an adult female to it. It usually starts off as a sore then progresses to an ulceration with it almost looking like it had it's skull crushed and the flesh exposed. During this time, I've found that the pleco will remove itself from the colony and seek solitude in a cave or corner of the tank. Unless they have very aggressive breeding or territorial behaviour (I've yet to witness anything that would cause such a thing) I believe it's a disease of some sort. I tried treating with melafix which did help the wound but unfortunately it died later a few weeks later. My advice for you is to isolate it in a quarantine tank and try treating with melafix for the time being. I *think* it's bacterial and that it might be cured with antibiotics (metronidazole or a more broad spectrum antibiotic?) but I'd advise you to get a vet involved before dosing anything. Would you have any idea whether this specimen was wildcaught? Added your images to the thread for easy viewing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeWs Fish Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 You might want to try myxazin from wardleys... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanel Posted June 10, 2007 Author Share Posted June 10, 2007 I dont know if he is wild caught or not. I bought him from an lfs. I will medicate him and see how he goes. Thank you for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanel Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 It has been two days of treatment now. He is moving around a bit and he wasnt moving at all. So hopefully he is on the mend. But it looks so evil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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