Gross!

[stxaggie04]

I have a bristlenose catfish in my 40 gal african tank. About a month ago, it looked like he had scraped his eye on my holey rock. It started turning kinda whitish about 2 weeks later. Soon after, it started getting red and white and droppy. It was growing out of his head. It looked very nasty. Today, the eye is gone and the fish are picking at his eye hole. I was thinking about taking him out, just never got the chance. But now its gone, and its NASTY. Will the other fish kill him? Will he infect the other fish from some other kind of infection? I really want to just take him out and flush. What should I do? It's so disturbing.

Okay.....I took him out and put him in a bowl of water. His body is looking kinda whitish underneath. I think he might be dying.

[Matt V]

Sorry to say, but it sounds like you're correct.

Have you medicated at all?

I've never been able to keep any kind of catfish or pleco for more than a few monhts in any african setup i've ever had. i know others have had success with a bristlnose, but my africans seem to look at bristlenoses as more challenging snacks.

i would recommend getting melafix and an antibiotic. does the "bowl" have filtration in it?

[cracklingice]

Originally posted by Matt V
Sorry to say, but it sounds like you're correct.
i would recommend getting melafix and an antibiotic. does the "bowl" have filtration in it?

I would also add Pimafix. The combination of both is safe and recommended by API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Industries).

I also second the filtration. If need be set up a 10gal hospital. The fish is a guaranteed goner without filtration. Also treat the main tank IMO. Be sure to remove the carbon filter media.