View Full Version : Hole in head with Clowns
Hootchieman
12-18-2003, 9:42 AM
Since this forum discussion seems to be about Clowns I was wondering if anyone has heard of hole in the head disease with clown loaches before? I know some cichlids like oscars are prone to this and while I was looking at my loaches the other day I noticed some tiny pores in the head of one of my clowns. The loaches are about 6-7 " long now and are doing fine. Just curious if this is a common with them or not.
Thanks
OrionGirl
12-18-2003, 10:15 AM
Can't say specifically if clowns get HITH--never seen it--but it is a possibility. The causes of HITH are not readily identified. For some, it seems to be a bacteria, while in other fish, it's a matter of diet, or poor water quality. What fish are in with the clowns?
Hootchieman
12-18-2003, 2:05 PM
I have two clowns, one angel, one BGK, 3 parrots, one RTBS, and some small tetras. I am in the process of setting up a 135 gallon plexi tank so I will be splitting them up soon. I generally feed them fresh shrimp, frozen bloodworm, and some pellets.
OrionGirl
12-18-2003, 2:29 PM
I'd try offering more greens. Spinach, or any leafy green, should be a happy meal for the clowns, and may the difference if it is HITH and nutritionally related. Certainly would not hurt!
HTH
SayersWeb
12-19-2003, 11:41 PM
My clowns like the algae discs.....
marsupialvomit
12-21-2003, 12:27 AM
that would be weird and vry different seeing a cichlid with HITH.
chefkeith
12-24-2003, 11:56 AM
Occasionally, some of my clown loaches fight. The losers usually have a little chunk of flesh bit out of them (or just get a hickey) on the head just between the eyes. It heals in about 1 or 2 weeks.
PumaWard
12-24-2003, 12:49 PM
The pin holes on fishes head are normal, I believe they use it for smell... maybe? Anywhy, if it's hole-in-the-head, the pinsized hole should be outlined in white, or at least discolored and pale.
I know many my fish have these pin-sized holes,
my jaguar, the bullhead, guppies, convicts, and julies, etc.
http://aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19171&highlight=hole+in+the+head
above is a link to a thread with pictures and discussion about HITH.
HTH
Occasionally when my yoyos fight one will end up with an odd gash at the head, but it usually heals pretty quickly. The only problem i had with the clowns was that one formed a red, pimple-in-shape growth on his head. It was obviously having neurological effects because he'd be fine one miniute, then all the sudden would do flips with an almost constant 6 inch diameter. then crash into a wall, play dead for a half hour, then be back ot normal. So i had to put him under.
ryan