Help please! BN with large "boil"-like lumps

Hi. Can anyone help please. I'm not sure what this is or how to treat...
My fairly reclusive male BN (Spike who is approx 11cm) was spotted a couple of days ago by my kids sporting some large (up to 5mm) lumps on his top & side not far behind his right eye. I'll try to post a pic later as I actually managed to see him today long enuf to photograph him. Will also check tank conditions and post them but thought I'd put this out there in the mean time in case anyone has seen the like before. Pretty sure its not bloat as its in the wrong place from what I've read of other peoples posts.
Thanx!

Hi there if you can post the pics and give as much info regarding tank mates,water perameters,tank size,layout,cleaning routine and feeding etc etc and any other information you can,the more the better.Then we can help you

http://www.bristlenoseworld.com/t2961-important-read-before-posting-template-inside

this will help us

Sorry about the delay - technology got the better of me (couldn't find the cable to download the pics from my camera! Darn it!)

Tank info...

Tank Size & Setup: Spike is currently in a 22L AR126 hospital tank () but I'll give details of his usual home as that's probably more use to you. Usually he resides in a 90L tank (make is SunSun but is equivalent to AquaOne 620), has some plants, breeding cave, driftwood (with hole thru it), decorative treasure chest and small tunnel made from a rock and pieces of slate.
Substrate: Propagating sand with layers of small gravel then larger gravel over it. ()
Filtration: Via Aqua 230 Professional cannister filter (2.3L volume), running at approx 500L/hr (I've backed it off slightly from the 600L/hr its supposed to be capable of), last cleaned approx 2-3 wks ago when tank was moved; I rinsed coarse sponge & ceramic noodles in tank water, replaced filter wool, added carbon & a finer sponge.
Airstone: Shell-shaped airstone at centre back of tank.
Inhabitants: Spike, 1 x large femal BN, 3 (I think) x half grown BN's (Spike's progengy - 1 x male, 2 x female), 1 x large rosy barb, 7 male guppies. There was another half grown female BN but I put her into my other tank approx 2 wks ago.
Fish Affected: As far as I can tell just Spike
Feeding System: Daily pinch of tropical fish micro granules, 1 x bottom feeder sinking food tablet
Water Changes: Irregular but 25-40% approx every 2-3 weeks
Recent Water Changes: approx 2-3 wks ago changed approx 90% of water due to moving the tank but added Start Smart when the tank was refilled.
Water Changes since problem noted: Added Melafix & Pimafix then changed approx 40% of water next day. Used some of this water to set up the hospital tank (approx 8L) then used fresh water to top them both up.
Water Quality: Before changing water in the 90L tank pH lowish at 6.2, Ammonia <0.25ppm, Nitrate ~10ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, KH ~20ppm, GH~20ppm.
Chemicals: On water change I usually add Prime (Seachem), Flourish Excel (Seachem), S.A.T (TLC) and Stress Coat+ (API) at recommended doses and sometimes add approx 1 tsp aquarium salt. Use Flourish Excel & S.A.T between water changes too as this tank has black hair algae which I'm trying to knock back.
Water Source: Under bench filter - think its carbon based, water treatments as above.
Recent Major Changes: Tank has undergone 2 major moves while home renovations were happening; the 1st approx 5 wks ago then the second approx 2-3 wks ago; both necessitated large water changes (~90%) but only cleaned the filter after the second one to try to keep the tank relatively stable. Didn't see any major pH spikes during this time. Guppies were added to the tank after the 1st move and removed a female BN at same time.
Symptoms: Large "boil"-like lumps as described in first post and shown in photos.
Treatment: 90L tank being dosed with Melafix & Pimafix at recommended doses. 22L tank is approx 1/2 way thru an antibacterial treatment course of Furan-2 (recommended by local pet shop).
Photos: Your site won't let me post any as I'm new (GRRRR!! Spent ages getting them downloaded to FLICKR using dial-up.)

Hope this isn't too wordy.
Simone

Hi there,sounds like your tank and fish has gone through quite a lot recently due to major water changes etc.This in itself could of set off the problem/s.To help you diagnose and treat the problem photo's would help immensely.I know you have been through all the trouble of downloading them etc to no avail.Is it possible to put a link to them on flickr ? or even send them to my email address? My email address is chambatilabs@aol.com. Then i will put them up here for you.Also you must remove any carbon from filters when treating the tank as it will remove the medication from the water.I personaly don't like melafix and pimafix as it smells terrible and also is more of a herbal remedy.I know lots of people use it and like and have results from it but i don't.As he is now in a hospital tank i would add 4 teaspoons of aquarium salt to the 22 litre and once the furan 2 is finished do a small water change and if there is no improvement start a course of esha 2000.Keep the salt content at about 4 teaspoons in the 22 litre,so if you remove 25% water after the furan is finished add 1 teaspoon salt back into the new water.Make sure he has a hiding place and a bit of cover in the tank to feel safe otherwise extra stress will not help him recover.

Will hopefully be able to help more with pics

Also if possible a pic of the main tank and set up.

P.S You say you only feed 1 sinking pellet daily this may not be enough for the bristlenoses and may also cause fighting or some fish going without food.Also you really need to start feeding some other foods to them.A good quality varied is best,feed courgette,cucmber or zuchini by putting a piece weighted down by plant weight or a stainless steel spoon through a piece so it sinks.Another good food are hikari algae wafers,put two in at night time 2 to 3 times a week.Another good food is tetra Pro vegetable crisps,add a a pinch every other day.Peas are very good for bristlenoses,make sure the skin is removed first and just put a few into the tank once a week.I also feed tinned green beans they love them and again are good for them.Make sure you alternate these foods and remove uneaten food after a day or two.Your other fish will also enjoy some of these foods.

Keep up with regular water changes and tank cleaning,one of the most important things is to vac the gravel regularly.keep a regular check on water perameters also.

Keep a close eye on the fish in the other tanks for signs of the same problem.

Hi. I put the photos into Flickr... use flickr.com then type "/photos/m1zm0n/" they're on my photstream. Hope they help. the Furan-2 doesn't seem to have had any affect so far but I'll add the salt tonight.
Thanx for your feedback!

Hi,i am sorry to say that he really doesn't look good at all and he also looks bloated.He is going to need a lot of care and attention over the next few weeks.It could be a number of things that initialy caused the problem and there are now a few things going on.He needs treating with anti bacterial and antifungal and i would also treat for parasites.

Is he eating at all? Put a few (4 or 5) deskinned (take the outer skin off) peas in for him.

I would do a 25% water change and add the salt as i suggested.I would stop with the furan and start medicating with Esha 2000 and Esha Exit together.Keep the water clean and well filtered with plenty of oxygenation and water surface movement.keep the temp at approx 80f/27c.

This could of been caused by fighting or an injury or stress or parasites or any combination of these.

The fish must be fed a good diet and the tank must be kept very clean.The gravel must be cleaned regularly and water changes done.

Make sure there is no carbon in filter/s.

Spike doesn't appear to be eating (not while I'm watching anyway) so not sure what else to do at this stage.
Doesn't look like we have access to eSHa 2000 or Exit in New Zealand - is there anything else you can recommend?
I have "tonic" (think its methlyene blue based), pimafix & melafix on hand plus more of the Furan-2 (enough for a 2nd round of doses).

Hi keep going with the furan for another round and still add the salt.

Have you made sure there is no carbon in the filter?

Can you get mycin 1 and 2 at all ?

Did you put a few skinned peas in ?

Definitely no carbon - only filter wool and noodles in the hospital tank filter.
Tried peas but doesn't seem interested - not a good sign me thinks (hopefully I did them right... frozen baby peas: nuked then skinned?).
I'll redo the furan-2 (and salt) and will look into mycin.

THANX! I really appreciate your help!

Hi,yes you did the peas correctly,he doesn't look or sound good at all.Keep going with what you are doing and maybe put a algae wafer right near where he is incase he just isnt used to the peas and wont give them a try (as is sometimes the case) but i fear he maybe just too ill.

What is the temperature in his tank?

Remove the uneaten peas.

Hi. I removed the peas. The tank temp was 26oC & I'd restarted the Furan-2 but Spike died anyway.
I'm keeping an eye on the big tank & haven't seen any sign of any problems. Crossed fingers it stays that way!
Thankyou for trying to help, I really appreciate it (Spike was my 1st BN).
Simone

Hi,i am so very sorry he didn't make it.When i saw how bad he looked i didn't expect him to but you always have to try because even when it looks real bad sometimes there is a chance.

Keep a very close eye on the others and if there are any signs whatsover of anything starting then don't hesitate to take action.I wish you all the best and hope the rest all stay healthy.You are very welcome for the help,I am sorry i couldn't of helped more.


spike

One last question, how do I sterilise my hospital tank?
Cheers

Hi,you can sterilize with household bleach (diluted 1 parts bleach to 12 parts water or there abouts),clean well and rinse,rinse,rinse,rinse,until every trace of bleach has gone.You can boil the gravel and ornaments (or pour boiling water over them)

Very important to make sure all the bleach is rinsed off.