Does my pleco have ich?

[jboyce]

This may seem a dumb question to those more experienced, but I am dismayed. "Gecko", our common pleco (L021/L023), is our favorite fish. We didn't know when we bought him that he would get so big and we just bought a 190 litre tank 2 weeks ago to give him a "better" home. It may have been a mistake, but because we knew how hardy he is, we have used him as one of our "cycling" fish. Ammonia levels have been high, but dropped to 0.8 yesterday and to 0 today. Nitrite levels are still extremely high, however (and we have lost 2 mollies).

2 days ago, I noticed a single small, maybe 0.5 mm white spot on one of Gecko's pectoral fins. Today, thst "spot" is 1.0-1.25 mm in length, extending along one spine of the fin. There are no other marks on him. There are no signs of ich on any of the other fish in the tank, and I think the 2 mollies died of excessive nitrites after the stress of excessive ammonia.

I did a 50 litre water change yesterday, and a 30 litre water change today. pH is 7.4. GH is 16. Temp is 25C.

Gecko seems lethargic and has even taken to hiding in a ceramic driftwood cave---something he has never done before.

Could he have ich?

Is he just stressed out?

Well, he's just a "common" pleco, but we have grown VERY attached to him. Obviously, we bought this tank primarily for him!

Suggestions, anyone?

Thx in advance, jb

[Silurus]

Could he have ich?

Doesn't sound like it, but we really can't tell without a picture.

[jboyce]

I'd be surprised if you could tell with that! I don't know what people use to make these nifty aquarium fish photos I delight in finding on the Web, but my camera sure won't do it!

[Crazie.Eddie]

ich looks like little grains of salt on the fish. They never grow in size, just in numbers. You may see one at first, but could multiply to 5, 10, or even more. Still never changing in size. What might have is a fungus, but it is hard to tell without a photo.

[jboyce]

Yeah, that's what ich has always looked like on other fish. But i wondered if this was an early appearance. It has not grown in the last couple of days. But it's still there. Nitrites remain real high in the tank as it cycles.

Gecko, despite his size, spends a lot of time under cover. Even if I had a camera that would take good photos, I doubt he would "pose".

Guess I'll just hope for the best.

I guess what disturbs me most is not just the "spot", but the fact that he has clamped fins and is hiding much more.

jb

[Barbie]

That is due to the toxic nitrites in his tank. Have you tried some partial water changes to reduce the levels? It might delay the finish of the cycle a few days, but your fish would have a MUCH better chance of living through the experience. I would also drastically reduce the amount of food you're feeding them until the nitrites are at 0. If you have the tank he came out of still running, swish the filter media out in the new tank and it will "jumpstart" the biobed in the new tank and reduce the hard cycle the fish may not survive.

Barbie

[jboyce]

I really appreciate this repy!
Let me reply in kind and hope you (or others will do the same!)

I'm running a cycle here, as you know. Since the ammonia dived and the nitrites prevailed, I have done 15% water changes every other day.

My books say the "high-ammonia" stage of the cycle is more toxic than this ... but my fish now seem more stressed than before! And I have lost 2 lovely female sailfin mollies!! No! I found the 2nd before she died, netted her into neutral water (not conditioned in any way) and she is retored ... for the moment

How long can I not feed my fish?

The "sponge" from the old tank is stuck in the filter of the new one. I;ve got a great "new tank" bacteria bloom! but still real high nitrites.

All others are doing well.

Should I move him back until this tank fully cycles?

jb