Hexamita ??? which med to use

Stanley Robert

Stanley Robert

AC Members
Jul 8, 2007
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Edmonton AB
I have a large Brazilian Scalare with small eruptions about the head with small white protrusions and there are holes left behind. I have treated with PRAZIPRO but to no avail about to try a med with metronidazole and prazi from API

any knowledgeable suggestions ?? the fish is quarinteened unable to take proper photo

cheers
 
I have never dealt with HITH (hole in the head) disease but have read a lot of articles on it. The best course of recommended treatment is metronidazole. While it is not proven exactly what the cause of HITH is, the indications usually are water quality issues and inadequate unfortified diet.
 
Indeed the cause was poor water quality and poor diet, I understand they naturally carry many parisites and such events cause outbreaks. I can only hope to cure him, his overall health is quite good and eats well with solid excrement. He has had this for some time now.
 
Debbi's right. HITH is not directly associated with Hex, but Hex can cause HITH. HITH is a symptom, you still need to figure out the exact cause.

Metro will treat Hex, but like Debbi said, it's mainly due to an inadequate diet. Particularly Vitamin C is what I've read.

If a treatment of Prazi was not sucessful, you should probably try another combination, instead of a redundant dose of the same drug.

Metro is sold as a pure powder from several places online. Are there any indications of worms, how's the poop looking?
 
So I should grind up some Vitimin C pills and pour it on some food and feed it to him?? I don't think this will "kill" the white parasites growing on his head ?
 
often it will clear up with a balanced diet and clean water.
however, hex has been directly linked to HITH in Discus (and Angels)

the hex will interfere with the fishes digestive system and the result is poor absorption of nutrients.
this makes HITH and HLLE very similar in their effect.
some believe Garlic will kill the hex but there is no data to actually support this.
it does appear to react to metronidazole. it is an antibiotic which can kill the protozoa(hexamita)

I have personally dealt with it with angels but have mixed feelings about how the hex affects fish.
as in many cases I have seen it affect only one fish in the tank of Angels.
 
You have to treat with meds. And from this point on in order to turn his health around, you will have to be sure to do regular water changes and switch to foods (flakes or whatever) that have been fortified with vitamins. I have heard from some people that they regularly soak thawed out frozen bloodworms in liquid vitamins before they feed....but Hikari brand are already fortified For flakes I use mostly Ocean Nutrition because of the excellent nutritional formulation of their products.
 
If you see white mucus in the holes I would treat with metro.Look closely at the other fishes heads ,if you see see "pinholes" in the head treat them also.
 
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