Pleco Looks Awful.

[Zekumi]

I received the pleco about a week ago from a friend (a very fish illiterate friend). It was obvious he had something wrong with him, although I tried my best to be polite and not give her the third degree. Apparently, she hadn't noticed anything.
I'm pretty positive he's getting worse.

Firstly, he's got a ridiculously large bulbous looking bump along his back. He looks all kinked up, like something's wrong with his spine. It wasn't so bad before, and I took pictures hoping afew over fish savvy friends could identify his illness. Unfortunately, our camera sucks beyond all reason, and none of the pictures were decent enough for them to get a good look. Even so, since he was pooping lots and seemed to be eating at the time, they said it probably wasn't dropsy.

This morning his bulbousness seems to have gotten worse, and he's very pale, with whitish areas in places along his bumps (like his skin is being stretched out).
Frankly, I'm a little horrified and don't know what to do with him. He's moving around fine, as far as I can tell.

Any advice on what I should do? It's pretty awful.

 

[Colin_T]

make sure the water is up to scratch. If there is any ammonia or nitrite in the water it will stress the fish and cause ti to produce more mucous and that can look like a white film on the body. High nitrates will do the same thing.
Try doing a partial water change and gravel clean each day for a week and see if that helps. Make sure any new water is free of chlorine and has a similar temperature and PH to the tank.
Try to get a pic on here so we can have a look. Takes hundreds of pics and find a decent one. Have lots of light on the tank when taking the pic and it should help a bit.