Oscar with hole in the Head

[chunkoblue]

Any tips on treating hole in the head? I've read many places that hexamita is pretty much a bogus reason why they get it, that it depends mostly on water quality/nutrition.. He had it when I got him about a month and half ago (didn't realize he had it until I brought him home). My water conditions have been perfect (ammonia=0 nitrite=0 nitrates always under 20, currently 10). I recently stopped feeding anything but HBH Oscar growth food. Last night I added 1 TBS of salt per 5 gallons and raised the temp to 80-82 degrees. Anything else I can do? He still has a good appetite.

 

[MySpace Mike]

For one no live feeders. Live feeders are the main cause of HITH with Oscars. TAlso try some Melafix in the tank, should help with infection. IT will pretty much heal on it's own with the right diet.

 

[Star_Rider]

you should read this thread
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129838


there is much research that still needs to be done..but there is nothing bogus about hexamita(protozoa) which can be a serious contributing factor in HITH and HLLE.

they definitely are attributed to other interanl issues with cichlids(particulalry CA and SA).

while diet and clean water help..you may want to consider alternative treatments.

 

[J double R]

For one no live feeders. Live feeders are the main cause of HITH with Oscars. TAlso try some Melafix in the tank, should help with infection. IT will pretty much heal on it's own with the right diet.

I'd LOVE to see where 'live feeders' is the cause of HITH. documentation, please.

 

[chunkoblue]

Well I think I found one possible reason for his HITH... I detected some stray electrical current in my tank, which is one of the theories causing HITH. Of course, he already had it when I got him, but this probably has made it not get any better. Both my heater and lights seemed to be to blame. So now they are both off. I have stopped with feeders, as I read they have an enzyme that breaks down thiamine that may cause a deficiency for the oscar. Are other live foods ok such as crickets, mealworms or earthworms? Or should I stick with only the HBH Oscar Grow? I am thinking about getting a liquid vitamin supplement to soak his food in.

 

[Star_Rider]

vary the diet and make sure you get some enriched food to the oscars.

there are a lot of theory with HITH.

best to just keep the water clean and a good source of food. crickets, meal worms and earthworms are all acceptable foods for Oscars.

 

[syddakyd]

i never feed my parrots live fish only freeze dried krill and pellets and it has hith

 

[MySpace Mike]

"Fish fed exclusively or largely a diet of feeder fish are extremely likely to develop HITH. They are also in high risk of contracting other diseases, such as ich, numerous other parasites, or fungal infections. It is important to resist the urge to watch your fish chase their food, it is for their own good."

http://www.cichliddepot.com/library/care/hith.php

 

[Star_Rider]

there is HITH and HLLE they are similar but different.

pimple like protrusions that may 'pop' leaving pin hole sized lesions are generally HITH
HLLE seems to be more lateral not pin hole sized.
diet and flagellated protozoa are usually blamed for the issue.
the problem with feeder fish is they may carry pathogens into your closed ecosystem and they may not provided the needed nutrients for your fish.. you may be able to help that by feeding the feeders enriched foods.

 

[chunkoblue]

Well after reading the link star_rider suggested, perhaps it is HLLE (although it is on the gill). I'll try to post a picture tonight. Yesterday I added Hex-Out (metronidazole) and a second treatment today. Also starting yesterday I started soaking his pellets with Centrum multivitamin/multimineral supplement (Liquid) before feeding. No feeders for 3 weeks. We'll see what happens. Ammonia/Nitrite still 0, Nitrate 10 ppm. Temp is around 80 degrees. I have melafix... but am unsure if it is ok to use with mitronidazole. Is it?