Can Plecos Get Whitespot?

[fishnovice]

I had several fish literally dumped on me at 9.30pm.They came with a cheap big tank and were in a bucket with no heater or filter. Emotional blackmail I know but couldn't really leave them behind to die. The tank belonged to an old lady with arthritis who was no longer able to do water changes. Then the filter packed up and the water turned filthy brown. Fish included:
Large pleco (unknown species)approx 8in, currently in goldfish tank as I had nowhere else to put it late at night.Looks healthy and active but noticed a few white patches (oval 3mm long)on its head between the eyes. It's grey with black markings so I don't think it is normal colouring. Is this whitespot and how doI cure it? Can the goldfish catch it? So far goldies seem OK with no white spots.

If this is whitespot, how do I treat it?

 

[Darkstar]

Absolutely plecs can get whitespot.

First thing is to increase the tank temp to 27C or a little bit higher. Then go to the fish shop, buy the appropriate medication and use as described in the instructions. It'll take a few days to sort out though so don't expect it all to be sorted by tomorrow.

good luck.

 

[JenCliBee]

As above yes they can get white spot but from your description it doesn't sound like it has, whitespot is like small grains of sugar/salt rather than patches. I would put a post with a picture in the emergencies section before throwing medication into a tank without an actual correct ID. Plecs are prone to having little discolouration marks due to stress, that could be just what it is. Getting a correct ID on the problem would be priority first before anything else.

 

[fishnovice]

As above yes they can get white spot but from your description it doesn't sound like it has, whitespot is like small grains of sugar/salt rather than patches. I would put a post with a picture in the emergencies section before throwing medication into a tank without an actual correct ID. Plecs are prone to having little discolouration marks due to stress, that could be just what it is. Getting a correct ID on the problem would be priority first before anything else.

These white spots are oval, the colour size and shape of rice grains. Only 3 spots on its head close together, not all over its body. Spots are flat not lumpy like salt grains. I know plecs can change colour to blend with background (my L001 does this on sand) but those changes are much bigger patches not so tiny and usually yelloe beige not white surely?
I can't raise the tank temp to 30+ as I have a weather loach and goldfish in there.My spare hospital tank has 2 sick gourami with fin rot (former tankmates of this plec from same filthy tank). Don't have any spare tanks or space for plec elsewhere, that's why he's sharing with goldfish.