Hole in the Head.....successful cures???

Gulp

Gulp

Nom, nom, nom.
Dec 16, 2003
336
0
0
Stockbridge, Georgia
Visit site
I have searched and read several threads and websites on treating Hole in the Head and I am even more confused than ever. Gulp's case is getting worse by the day. I swear you can tell the spot on his back (right where the dorsal fin begins) is getting bigger daily. I am not sure what is causing it........and there are so many "theories" I don't know where to start. The water is in great condition, I have removed the charcoal from the filters (except in the Emperor 400 premade filter packs), we have been feeding him a varied diet including standard Hikari floaters, whole shrimp, small pieces of chicken, shrimp pellets, and frozen cubes of several types of worms and other good stuff. He has had NO feeder fish since the day he ate the fish that were helping to prep the 110 for his move from the 55. I do 15-20% water changes once a week now that the tank has cycled.

I guess my question is this. Has anyone here ever successfully treated hole in the head disease on an oscar? If so, what did you do? I hate seeing that spot get bigger and bigger..... :(

His lateral line is also becoming more visable. Not sure if that means anything or not.

EDIT: Forgot to add that I have (2) 250 watt heaters keeping the water at 78 degrees.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by RTR
What is the nitrate titer in the tank immediately before a water change? How much is the pH below that of aged tap water?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, my test kit does not have anything for nitrate. I need to do something about that soon......

The PH out of the tap is around 7.2, the PH in the tank is around 6.8 at this time. I try to keep the PH between 6.8 & 7.2.

The nitrite as well as the ammonia level is 0.


Originally posted by PumaWard
Here's a good article, whether is it accurate, I don't know. Hope it helps.
http://www.cichliddepot.com/diseases/hith.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. I had read that one a long time ago, but it was a good refresher. I also read this: http://www.oscarfish.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=3 & this: http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/hith.shtml

The first thing I am going to do is get a nitrate test kit. I have NO idea why they don't include it in the "master kit" I bought. It tests PH (high and low), nitrite, ammonia, & hardness.....but they left out the nitrate for some reason.

I will also start trying to soak his food in vitamins as the last article mentions. It sucks that it is suddenly happening. He was a "perfect" oscar up until a month ago, with NO scarring or pits and was 8" long. Now this.... :( This is especially saddening since he is in a much better home with good filters (Emperor 400 and (2) Magnum 350's)...... I feel like I have screwed up somewhere and have got to find a way to fix Gulp up.
 
Now this.... This is especially saddening since he is in a much better home with good filters (Emperor 400 and (2) Magnum 350's)...... I feel like I have screwed up somewhere and have got to find a way to fix Gulp up.
Click to expand...

Don't lose heart, I had something similiar happen. My favorite fish, my female paradise fish, got dropsy shortly after I introduced her into my 38g. She died not long after.

I hope Gulp gets better, I think he will once you are able to find the cause and correct it. Best of luck :).
 
I had a case of hole in head with one of my discus and i went to the fish store and picked up some furan or furan 2 i can't remember but a week later he was swimming around and acting like it never happened
 
Originally posted by 750t
Just curious did he go thru an ammonia spike when you moved him to the 110?
Tim
Click to expand...

He did go through a couple of spikes. I tried to change the water every day (a few times I slipped and missed a day). I know there were a couple of times the "oh crap" thought went through my head though because of the ammonia level.
 
Last edited:
I wonder if thats what started the hith. Theres got to be a cure though just keep trying I know how attached you are to your fish. good luck...Tim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom