Sterbai cory fuzzy spot behind eye

So, I am new to the forum as I finally signed up because I can't find an answer. I have a 29 gallon community tank with 4 Sterbai cories. About 3 weeks I noticed a fuzzy spot behind the eye of 1 cory. I knew it wasn't ich as I had just battled that on a few fish. I watched him for a few days and noticed a cloudy white spot on top of his nose like a mustache. None of the other other cories or fish have anything on them. I went to my LFS which didn't seem very concerned when showing them the pic. They suggested I dose the entire tank with Pimafix and Melafix. After a week of doses there really was no change. Maybe it would lighten one day and then the next it would be back. I was thinking Columnaris which I understand to be bacterial and I was treating with fungus meds. However it doesn't really go along with what I have read about columnaris like it kills pretty quickly.
So, I asked a Petco guy who is very knowledgeable and raises Cories. He thought columnaris. So I took out the cory and he is on day 3 of erythromycin meds and I still don't see any changes. He is still eating and swimming all over like normal. I'm just really worried as I love my fishes and don't want anyone else to get it in case it does spread. Any advice, please.
Ammonia 0 Nitrites 0 Nitrates usually around 20 with 25% water changes every 7-10 days. Thanks.

 

Welcome to the forum, and I hope your fish gets better!

I think it would help if you could post a picture so others on the forum can help you identify the illness to the best of their ability.

When it comes to Primafix and Melafix there is no hard proof that these treatments (not really medications as in the case of Melafix it's basically just tea tree oil) are able to cure any diseases. Since you live in the US at least you have access to actual anti biotic medicines. While I personally would rather find natural ways to cure first before nuking with meds, it is an option for you.

Here are two articles on the forum from contributors who describe how to fight columnaris.
I recommend reading through these and double checking if your diagnosis is correct. Often fish keepers think their pets have one disease but misidentify it and end up treating with the wrong steps or medications.

Columnaris Symptoms And Treatment | Freshwater Fish Disease and Fish Health Forum | 263058

Treating Cotton Mouth (A strain of Columnaris)

I hope this help, and stay safe!

 

Personally I think what you're facing isn't Columnaris.

Especially C.sterbai seem to show a certain greyish mucuslayer now and then and we still haven't diagnosed it properly.

How high is the temperature in the tank?
Are you by coincidence use a waterconditioner with Aloe Vera in it ?

 

Thanks for the help. Temperature is always between 78-79 degrees. The spot behind the eye seems to be almost gone. On the mustache is still there.I will attach a photo taken 2 weeks ago and a photo from today. I use either stress coat or prime for the water conditioner.
Just taken.

 

Mmmm liiks different than what I am talking about. Could it be it scratched its head / snout by the substrate ?

 

Looks like bumping in to things and/or stress. I have a fish that develops spots like that when stressed, they usually go away shortly though. I have another fish in a separate tank that also gets spots like this from bumping in to things.

 

Looks like bumping in to things and/or stress. I have a fish that develops spots like that when stressed, they usually go away shortly though. I have another fish in a separate tank that also gets spots like this from bumping in to things.

Thanks. Yeah, my first round of research so it could be from bumping something, like a sore. It's been like 3 weeks though. At least it doesn't seem to be spreading.

Mmmm liiks different than what I am talking about. Could it be it scratched its head / snout by the substrate ?

That's what I was maybe thinking initially but it hasn't gotten any better better or worse. I have 1 more dose of erythromycin which on the box looks like the mouth fungus. I'm going to watch him for a few days in quarantine then probably put him back in the main tank. He misses his buddies.

 

I doubt this is bacterial

 

I doubt this is bacterial

OK thank you. I will just do the last day and watch him for any changes. So, if this were you fish, what would you do next? Thank you for all the help.

 

I would just keep watching for changes. He just got dosed and separated so anything on top of this could add more undue stress and make things worse. Start researching if your fish is salt tolerant in case it doesn't go away.

 

I would just keep watching for changes. He just got dosed and separated so anything on top of this could add more undue stress and make things worse. Start researching if your fish is salt tolerant in case it doesn't go away.

Thanks. I did use the some salt about a month and a half ago when I was battling ich. I only dosed about half the salt amount and raised the temp but have heard that salt is not good for cories or plants.