Which should I do

[isu_guy]

I have a pleco with fungus. I had a nitrite spike, but now have that under control, all other parameters are fine.

I do not have a hospital tank(unfortunately). I am currently treating my 20 gallon. The closest I can get to a hospital tank is a bucket. The temp stays fairly constant in my apartment. For the safety of my other fish should I quarintine the pleco in a bucket and just treat that?

Also, for someone that has treated fungus before, how long until you should see results?

thanks

 

[The-Wolf]

Melafix is a good treatment for fungus.
I'd just add it to the whole tank so as to
prevent any infections on the other fish.
don't forget to remove any carbon filters you may have in the tank.

 

[babyfish]

increase your water changes too... this will help to cut down on the pathogens in the water...... make sure you do not overdose the melafix.

 

[Fawke]

Hi isu_guy,

Melafix is a good remedy for fungus, as wolf stated, but i would be more concerned about what caused the fungus to appear - as fungus is usually a result of a bacterial infection or a wound....
I know you mentioned you had a nitrite spike, but could the plec of been attacked by any other members of the tank?

Just to backup what has been already said really - regular water changes and Melafix is a good start... keep an eye on things and keep us updated

 

[isu_guy]

How long until results should be noticed?



-the chance of another fish attacking my pleco is small, the pleco seems to get irritated with my baby BGK as the BGK goes flying around the tank scavaging every last bloodworm after feedings. The BGK will often bump into the pleco and then the pleco swims to another spot.

-Water changes: I have been doing them daily since the nitrite spike and plan on continuing this until the fungus has been dealt with.

again though, how long until I should notice results?

 

[Fawke]

Well generally after a 7 day course of Melafix i would expect to start noticing results at the very least.
I have just finished a 7 day course with my gourami, with that and aquarioum salt (not recommended for plec btw) it started clearing up after a few days...
Its nearly better now after 7....

However, don't forget if you are medicating and water changing that this will dilute the medication.....
Give it a few more days and if it's not clearing up or getting worse, perhaps consider some plec friendly anti-fungiside....