White Spot... Not Ich!

[caligirl2323]

My beautiful pleco has two large white spots on his head. They're 1-2 cm in diameter, too large to be ich! They don't appear fuzzy like a fungus...
Does anyone know what it might be? How do I treat it?
He's in a 10 gal tank with 1 african cichlid. Help!

 

[WILDER]

Sounds like they might be columnaris spots do they have a circling of red around the eges of them, or a spot in the centre.
Is it possible to load a pic up.
What are your stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/d...columnaris.html

 

[caligirl2323]

No red outline. No circle in the middle. Just big white spots. Bob is a bushy nose pleco, and one of the spots goes all the way up onto his whiskers. We put some Rid Ich in the tank before I realized it's not ich. Will that prevent us from using any other medication?

 

[WILDER]

Nothing sticking out of the spot like a strand worming looking thing, they can be bacterial to parasite.
Do a water change and run some black carbon to remove the med.
Most spots can be bacterial will get you a link.
Is that tank size big enough for that plec never heard of it.
Check your stats as well.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishpalace.org/danscomments.html#Lump

 

[caligirl2323]

He's a small pleco, only about three inches. The tank was a temporary solution when our 35 gallon exploded into the living room. That was about 4 months ago, and we haven't been able to get a new one yet. I figured with just the two fish, it was enough room.
No, there's nothing sticking out of the middle (other than Bob's whisker). I did notice about six months ago that Bob developed a "spotty" pattern. I assumed that it was due to maturity, and normal. He's been healthy until now.

 

[WILDER]

I think for now I would take the bacterial route, but get the parasite med out first.
Good luck and merry christmas.

 

[caligirl2323]

I will do that. Thanks for all of your help! How long do you suggest I wait to get all of the parasite meds out? Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[WILDER]

Two days, so a water change, and then run your black carbon for two days, then remove it for the bacterial med.
Good luck.

 

[caligirl2323]

Thank you!!!