White nodules on my new Heckelii's face

[sexisubeegal]

Hi guys and gals,

I need some advice please.

My 7x2x2 has been having a few dramas of late and i really want to get down to the bottom of it and fix it.

The information i will fill in below relates to my new female Heckelii bought 2 weeks ago.

1. Description of the symptoms, obvious signs of disease and behaviour of your fish.

White nodule on the side of her face, eating and acting normally, sometimes she darkens up when the others in the community tank scare her.

2. List the fish that are exhibiting the above symptoms/behaviour: genus and species name.

Acarichthys Heckelii, i had some Geophagus Pindare that recently died from inability to recover from Hole in the Head (after being treated with Flagyl) and then they started to get these nodules towards the end, even when they were in a quarantine tank.

3. When and how did the symptons/behaviour start? I was just observing her when i noticed.

4. How old are the affected/sick fish? She is approximately 1.5 years old

5. Have any new fish been added to the tank? This Acarichthys Heckelii was the last new fish added to the tank, 2 weeks prior.

6. Has anything 'special' happened recently? The only new things in the tank would be an ornamental castle and log that i bought maybe 3 months ago, water changes are regular weekly, the initial diagnosis for the hole in the head was due to high levels of Nitrate (which i did not have a test kit for, but now do), so water parametres have slightly changed, higher kH to stabilise pH (which it still doesnt seem to help)

7. What are the water parameters? (where relevant)

- pH =6.5 (im surprised it's thats low, i havent tested for 2 weeks)

- kH =5

- gH =10

- Temp =26c

- NH3 =0 ppm

- NO2 =0 ppm

- NO3 =0 ppm

8. Describe the aquarium and its contents : The tank is a 7x2x2, it's approximately 5 years old, i have a Fluval FX5 Filter (recently cleaned about 3 weeks-a month ago), the gravel is a 3 mm red. I have numerous fish in there 2x Acarichthys Heckelii, 5x Geophagus Rio Tapajos, 6x Prochilodus, 2x Geophagus Surinamensis, 2x Satanoperca leucosticta, 5x Congo Tetras, 1x synodontis eupterus, 1x Synodontis decorus, 1x synodontis ocellifer, 1x synodontis nummifer, 6x mikrogeophagus altispinosus, 9x Albino Bristlenoses, 1x L168 and 1 lonely rummynose. There are a few bits of anubias floating around in the tank.

9. When was the water last changed and how much was changed? (include description of procedure)

10. When was the filter last cleaned? 3 weeks to a month ago, i replaced the Biochem Zorbs and rinsed the sponges and media in tank water.

11. What brand and type of food has been used over the past month? Sera Vipan Flake food, Sera Granugreen, Hikari Algae Wafers and they regularily get live black worms (nearly daily).

I hope this is enough information that someone will be able to help me and finally sort out this problem.

Any information would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Anna

[Citypainter]

Great description.

But a picture would really help.