Dangit...What's this on my juvie clown Pleco's head

[The Wedge]

Since I never see the little guy I just now noticed it...all my N. multifasciatus are fine. Here's the link http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm259/wharfrat77/dem031.jpg

[Ryuu]

What other fish do u have in the tank, kinda looks like he was aattacked or hole in head disease

[cocoa_pleco]

HITH is usually a cichlid disease, any other fish that coulda took a chunk out of him?

[The Wedge]

Just the shell dwellers...so I kind of doubt it, they're juvies. Maybe the water is to salty and hard...did use cichlid lake salt in small quantity when setting up and maintaining the tank. I hope he pulls through...i like the little guy. What is a good algae eater/or bottom feeder that will thrive in the tank. I am worried about Synodontis eating the eggs

[cocoa_pleco]

Just the shell dwellers...so I kind of doubt it, they're juvies. Maybe the water is to salty and hard...did use cichlid lake salt in small quantity when setting up and maintaining the tank.

juvies wouldnt attack or be aggressive. im thinking he might have scraped himself and it got a bacterial infection

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Almost looks like a burn from a heater. Does he hang out near your heater at all?

[Fishguy2727]

Looks like a heater burn or he wedged himself into something abrasive and had a tough time getting out. Melafix and high water quality should do the trick. May need to remove certain decorations if they pose a threat like this.

Do you have a hospital tank you could put him in?

[Ryuu]

Oh yeah it does look liek a burn!

[Ryuu]

Hmmm, if you do have a hospital tank, I agree that melafix is the best way to go, espissialy to make sure it dosnt turn into a fungal infection

[The Wedge]

Nope...no hospital tank unfortunately...do I have any alternatives or suggestions that will not affect the shell dwellers?

[cocoa_pleco]

Nope...no hospital tank unfortunately...do I have any alternatives or suggestions that will not affect the shell dwellers?

you could use melafix and pimafix, harmless to other fish