My L183 Plec has some kind of disease

[Biznatch]

When I bought the fish from the store, I had seen him the day before then went hom and looked up about him a little more before buying. I went and picked him up and didn't notice he was injured untill I got home. He had what looked like a big red bite mark on his side in front of his back fin. He also had a hole at the base of his fin that you could see through.

That was abou a week and a half ago. The sore on his side isn't healing, it's actually spreading. The hole in his tail spread to the back and now his tail has split into 2 pices and they are getting smaller and smaller. I have tried Melafix for 7 days, and that didn't work. I just bough some Jungle Fungus Clear thinking it was some kind of infection. I put that in yesterday so I don't think know if it's working or not but it doesn't apear to be.

I really like how this fish looks and want to keep him but he just isn't getting better. He is still active eating/moving around but the sore is pretty big now. So please let me know what you think it is and what I can treat it with. Thanks

[FishSeller]

It sounds like your fish is suffering from some type of bacterial infection. I would use a combination of Potassium Permanganate and either Erythromycan (sp), pennicillan, or tetracycline. Put the fish in a quarantine tank filled with original tank water. Aerate heavily. Change 25-50% daily and replace with appropriate amounts of medication. All of these medicines are highly effective, however they can wreak havoc on a filter. DO NOT ADD IT TO YOUR ESTABLISHED TANK!
Actually, your Peppermint Pleco is wild-caught and should have been quarantined when you got him. Once again, Potassium Permanganate is an excellent anti bacterial/anti fungal medicine. It should also take care of internal parasites to some degree. If this guy doesn't make it (it doesn't sound good), make sure to inspect your fish well and quarantine him when you get home.

Good luck!

[Blinky]

Sounds bacterial, but it's hard to tell without a picture. I'd turn the lights off while you're treating (let ambient light give the fish a light/dark cycle, but don't turn on fluorescents over the tank). This will give the fish peace and quiet, and prevent medications from breaking down.

[Biznatch]

The fish is a Starlight bushynose plec so I doubt it's wild caught. But the sore on his side is pretty big and almost half the middle section of his tail is gone. So I don't think he is going to make it, which sucks because I have neever seen this type of plec before. I'll prolly go back to the store for a refund because they saw he was injured (even though I didn't. One guy showed the main guy the bag) but they sold it to me anyway. Then i spend 15$ on medication for him which didn't work.

Where would I find the antibiotics you sugested? Or what brand of medicine has those as the ingredients. Thanks for the help

[Biznatch]

Bump

[Blinky]

You should be able to find Erythromycin (EM) tablets/capsules and tetracycline at your LFS, I'm not sure about Penicillin. If they knew the fish was injured/infected, they should be able to tell you the best way to treat. Don't give up hope, sometimes fish make an amazing recovery from very serious injuries.
I'd make sure the tank is kept VERY clean, the temperature stays nice and warm (and doesn't fluctuate), turn off the lights, treat with the recommended meds and do large daily water changes between doses. Make sure the fish gets good quality food and doesn't have to work hard to find it, and cross your fingers.