Tiger Barb has large puffy white/red growth on its nose

Question
Hi there expert,
I've had my tank for a little over a year with semi-aggresive fish (gourami's, tiger barbs and cory cats.  Nitrite levels are at 0 and Nitrate are about 20.  I've noticed a white/red puffy growth by its right eye and nose.  It could be a cut from another fish, but looks more like a growth.  The tiger barbs have been with the other fish for a long time and get along, so I dont think its a cut.  I also dont think its ick because its the only puffy spot on the fish thats white.  Any ideas what it could be?  All other fish appear to be fine.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Mike;

It could be an injury or an abcess or something too. Redness often indicates bacterial infection. Since we aren't sure if the infection is coming from inside the fish or from an injury outside, a medicine called "Maracyn 2" is a good choice. It absorbs inside the fish but still treats the outside too. Other medicines treat only the outside of the fish. Another option is medicated food treated with tetracycline.

It would be a good idea to isolate him to treat. Treating the main tank is not a good idea. It takes a lot more medicine to do that, clouds and foams the water, the filter and gravel absorb some of it too, and it isn't good to treat fish that you know aren't sick. Just a mess all the way around. Here is a link to an article on "hospital tanks" and how to set one up;

http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/quarantine.html

I hope he feels better soon....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins