Tiny growth on my Senegal Bichir's head

[The Morning]

If you are really doing 11-20% water changes once a month you may want to consider upping that as well. Not sure of the size or stock of the tank but under most circumstances that is not adequate.

 

[Anskar]

If you are really doing 11-20% water changes once a month you may want to consider upping that as well. Not sure of the size or stock of the tank but under most circumstances that is not adequate.

Its a 42 gallon tank filled with plants housing the bichir, a bristlenose pleco, a banjo catfish and some snails. I try to do water changes every two weeks or so but I lose track so it's probably closer the every month on average. Would you say that's adequate? Or do I really need to do it every two weeks? More than that?

 

[Rocksor]

I do more than 1 water change per week (more than 55g) with my 5 bichirs since they are young (under 9") and I feed them everyday.

 

[The Morning]

I keep different fish but I do at least one 75% water change weekly often times it is two times in a week.

 

[twentyleagues]

I'd follow kno4te advise and monitor for a while. If your nitrates are not out of whack I'd keep doing what you are doing. Water changes are necessary but need to be based on actual numbers. I've been running some tests and with a couple tanks that are using a "special" type of filtration along with plants. I have kept nitrates at a reading of 0 or the lowest color on the api scale for a month or more. I still am doing a 50% water change monthly to replenish certain elements and remove any unwanted biological side waste undetectable by standard tests.

 

[twentyleagues]

Yesterday I've noticed this small growth protruding from one of the slits on my senegal's head, it's about as tall as it is wide and I am hoping one of you can tell me what it is and what I can do about it.

Here's a photo:

View attachment 1431042

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Also that is near where the sphericals are. Could be a loose piece of skin or some benign growth. Hard to say at this time, amazing you saw it. Keep an eye on it for sure.

 

[Anskar]

Here's a better picture of it

 

[Rocksor]

I'd follow kno4te advise and monitor for a while. If your nitrates are not out of whack I'd keep doing what you are doing. Water changes are necessary but need to be based on actual numbers. I've been running some tests and with a couple tanks that are using a "special" type of filtration along with plants. I have kept nitrates at a reading of 0 or the lowest color on the api scale for a month or more. I still am doing a 50% water change monthly to replenish certain elements and remove any unwanted biological side waste undetectable by standard tests.

How high are your TDS values compared with your source water?

 

[Rocksor]

Here's a better picture of it
View attachment 1431105

Looks like it hit something on the way up for a breath of air or maybe a decor in the tank.

 

[Anskar]

Looks like it hit something on the way up for a breath of air or maybe a decor in the tank.

There is no decor, only plants but still could be it as there's the filter intake and outake tubes and the heater to potentially hit. I'll keep monitoring and post updates if anything changes.