Flowerhorn issue

xxAlexxx23 said:

Update - Seems to be that he's getting some holes around his face and head they just started to show. Could that be from the rot that he has going on his tail?

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Ichthys said:

Nitrate is unlikely to be zero. What test kit did you use? If it's a liquid one you need to bang the reagent #2 bottle on a hard surface a few times before you shake it. If you don't, one of the ingredients precipitates out as a solid at the bottom of the bottle and you'll get false results... zero if it has all precipitated.

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xxAlexxx23 said:

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Colin_T said:

It looks a bit like an advanced case of hole in the head disease, which is caused by Hexamita and Metronidazole is the medication of choice. However, it doesn't normally get to that stage quickly, it usually takes months.

Hexamita is caused by a dirty tank, gravel and filter that allows harmful pathogens to grow and affect the fish.

Treatment involves doing a big (75%) water change and gravel cleaning the substrate every day for week or at least a few days. Clean the filter too if it hasn't been done in the last 2 weeks. This reduces the number of pathogens in the water. Then use Metronidazole.

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Colin_T said:

If you change the filter you will cause ammonia problems that will make things worse. You are better off leaving the fish where it is until the problem is solved, especially if you need to use medication. treating a smaller tank is cheaper and easier than treating a bigger tank.

You can try doing some big water changes and gravel cleans and see if it helps but I think the fish needs medication (maybe Metronidazole) that treats bacteria and protozoa.

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Colin_T said:

if you can get metronidazole don't bother with the salt. Run the metronidazole for a week and see how it looks after that. If it works there should be a noticeable improvement within 24-48 hours of adding the medication and the fish should tart feeding again.

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xxAlexxx23 said:

So a bit of an update on the tank. I got metroplex on Sunday and dosed the tank with it and it seems that he is doing worse now. Going to do a water change tomorrow and dose it again see how that goes.

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Fishfunn said:

I believe he is fighting both Hexmetia and a bacterial infection from the tailrot. You can use another antibiotic along side the MetroPlex so to address the tailrot infection.
If he were my fish, to fight the external infection, I would dose the water with SeaChem KanaPlex antibiotic and add a little to his food as well. SeaChem recommends using SeaChem Focus to mix KanaPlex into food and sprinkle a little SeaChem GarlicGuard to stimulate his appetite.

FYI, in the last two days I had to dose my Discus with KanaPlex to fight a tailrot issue. With one dose and in two days, his back dorsal and anal fins getting color back, and the shredded lower anal fin healed together, with color coming back. KanaPlex works well. He was getting tailrot from not eating well and having to fight for food with Roseline Barbs. I been trying to get him to eat flake food instead of only bloodworms but he is winning the fight.

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