Lesion On Rummynose Tetra - Help Please!

[Ninjouzata]

Hello, one of my rummynose tetras has been pale for 3 weeks to 1 month now, I can't quite remember, but he acts completely normal.
Then today I noticed something weird on his side.
He lives in a 55g tank (although right now I have him separated to a 5g bucket) with 4 other rummy nose tetras and 8 albino corys.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 80(?)
Here are two pics of the results

And here is the best picture we have of what's wrong with him.

Terribly sorry about the big pics.

Oh, here is the album that contains these pics and some other ones of him, although the rest are very blurry. http/s114.photobucket.com/user/ninjouzata_2006/library/Sick%20Rummynose

 

[Josh13]

Rummy nose tetras go pale when they get stressed, or have limited blood flow to their skin. This happens to your rummy nose tetras overnight when blood is concentrated in the core of the fish, and being pale makes them harder to see for potential predators. The fact that they're less colorful right when you turn the light on, and after being stressed is an indicator of regular behavior and good fish health!

 

[Ninjouzata]

Some more info on my tank..
W/c: 25-30% once a week
Temp: 78/79F (25/26C?)
Feed: Two pinches of new life spectrum small fish formula .5mm sinking pellet food & 10 omega one shrimp pellets
(I know 2 pinches is probably too much for just 5 rummys but they don't seem to see it very well and don't get much by the time the corys swoop in or it hits the bottom, 1 pellet per cory, and 2 extra because the rummys do steal them and nibble on them)
 
 

Rummy nose tetras go pale when they get stressed, or have limited blood flow to their skin. This happens to your rummy nose tetras overnight when blood is concentrated in the core of the fish, and being pale makes them harder to see for potential predators. The fact that they're less colorful right when you turn the light on, and after being stressed is an indicator of regular behavior and good fish health!

Hi, thank you for your quick response. I know that they do this but he remains pale throughout the day while the others regain bright red noses. His nose usually looks a pinkish orange (since 3 weeks to 1 month ago that is)

 

[Josh13]

When did you get him?

 

[Ninjouzata]

When did you get him?

2-3 months ago, sorry I have terrible memory
Not sure if it helps or not but here is a full tank pic

 

[Josh13]

Oh wow well I've rummy nose Tetras once you get them they will go pale for a couple of days till they get used to there new home and the water temp! But you've had it for a month already I'd say give him 24 hours but keep an eye on him and see how e does if he looks like he is getting paler it worse then id say he's probably not gonna make it! If he is the same in 24 hours I'd still keep an eye on him! Sorry about that!

 

[TaurineLittle]

I have no idea what is wrong with the rummynose, but it does look like some sort of syst or tumor. Your nitrates are really high though, not sure if this is contributing to the illness of the fish but I would do a water change to try and bring that down to <20ppm and try to figure out why your nitrates are so high. Even in a planted tank you only dose to about 30ppm if that. 

 

[Ninjouzata]

I have no idea what is wrong with the rummynose, but it does look like some sort of syst or tumor. Your nitrates are really high though, not sure if this is contributing to the illness of the fish but I would do a water change to try and bring that down to <20ppm and try to figure out why your nitrates are so high. Even in a planted tank you only dose to about 30ppm if that. 

I'm hoping it's not a tumor as if it was I don't think there is anything I can do for him.
We just did a 50% w/c today, hopefully that helps. No idea why we have such nitrates either though.

 
Also have added an airstone & decoration to the bucket to make him feel more comfortable. Will be doing 75% w/cs once or twice a day for him/her.

 

[KirkyArcher]

Could it possibly be a parasite perhaps an Argulus (fish louse) photo is not the clearest, either way try giving "him" a salt bath, and perhaps add some Melafix

 

[Ninjouzata]

I imagine it could indeed be a parasite, no idea, have never seen anything like this.
Quick google for argulus and that does not look like what's on him ><
I'd like to hear a few more suggestions before using salt, and it is almost 1 am now so can't get melafix right this moment.
Thank you so much =)
 
Put a towel over the bucket to hopefully make him feel more secure about an hour and a half ago. Before I did that he was just sitting there and now when I peeked in on him he was swimming around.

 

[Nordk]

I've got no idea what it is, but go for the salt, anything's better than nothing.

  I'd also up the water changes to 90% incase it's a parasite with a free-swimming stage.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Will do Nordk, it's just hard for me to tell exactly how much I'm changing. I switch him to a 1 gallon bowl, using water from the bucket, and then go empty the bucket and fill it back up and add the water from the bowl.
How exactly does the salt thing work? Do I leave him in the 1 gal with salt for a bit or should I have it in the bucket with him or..?

 

[Ninjouzata]

Have added more pics, but they are really blurry as well. I wish we had a better camera..
http/s114.photobucket.com/user/ninjouzata_2006/library/Sick%20Rummynose
 
It looks like his flesh is disappearing in that spot

 

[Ninjouzata]

I am slowly adding half a tablespoon of aquarium salt to his bucket over the course of an hour.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Just went up to add the last bit of the salt and he was floating upside down, no red left on his face, no gill movement. So I think it's safe to say he's dead..I would still really appreciate thoughts on what that could have possibly been, so that I may be better prepared for it in the future if it happens again.
 

 my beautiful little rummy