My odessa barbs have stuffy noses!

[Ironfish]

I have noticed on the larger male he has what looks like tiny cotton balls stuffed in his nose, he has been like this for months now my smaller male just started getting the cotton balls in his nose as well anyone know what’s going on here?

[V227]

It's been quite a while since I kept Odessas, but never had any with white growths on nostrils. As long as the Odessas are eating and otherwise acting normally, probably nothing to worry about.
My Odessas did best in a lower temperature range 70 - 72 degrees & a weekly 50% water change.

[Ironfish]

Thanks for the reply!, maybe I’ll try getting the temp down slowly as the tank is at 78, also I do bi weekly 30% water changes, I live in Canada so medications are not an option for me ,what’s your thought on dosing them with salt?

[V227]

I'm not a big fan of salt. All it does is promote slime coat production.
Sometimes white secretion from sensory pores indicate Hexamita. Just keep up with the weekly tank maintenance & feed quality foods. That should be enough to stop a Hex infection.
Odessas are pretty Barbs, but not nearly as durable as some of the other popular Barbs.