Hole in Head

[eskieluvr]

Hi, have been fighting hole-in-head with my 3 year old oscar for sometime. He has a couple of holes in his head, and even lost some scales along his side. He has been improving much in the last 2-3 weeks. He is in a 50 gal tank, with a biowheel filter. I've been doing water changes 2X a week since he got sick. I have been adding "Melafix" to his water 1X a day since last Wednesday. I have metronidazole, and am prepared to use it, but am not sure how long I should wait after stopping the melafix, what dosage I should give per 10 gal. And also, what does healed "hole in head" look like?

manda in VA

 

[H2O]

Is he still feeding?
If so the best treatment is medicated fish food.
I would try that before using the Metronidazole.

 

[eskieluvr]

He is eating. I found a website on how to make medicated food with metronidazole. I haven't seen any yet in any kind of pet store to buy. What should I look for?


Amanda

 

[H2O]

I wouldn't like to try making it myself.
I would use something like the Tetra Anti-Bacteria Medicated Sticks.

 

[reg2k2]

You say he's getting better. You might give the suggestions in this article a shot first...worth a read anyway.
How's his diet? Boyd's Vita-Chem might also help...CM's suggested it before.


hth

 

[eskieluvr]

Sent bf to store for the Vitamins and food suggested. I have another problem, that I'm getting great advice for in another thread. The nitrites have spiked off the chart, probably because of a new filter that I put in without first having the good bacteria build up in it. I'm also going to start metranidozole treatment for the tank.

 

[eskieluvr]

Just wanted to update. My fish is getting SO much better. He no longer has the "white spots" that had began to show up on his side. I forget the official lingo for it. His "holes" are still there, don't know if they are healed, but they certainly aren't getting any worse. I've been adding melafix every day. I have been unable to locate the medicated sticks, or the vitamins mentioned. I've been doing water changes like crazy. The nitrite levels have lowered, but are now stuck on .25. Anyway, wanted to say thanks for all the advice!

manda

 

[eskieluvr]

Just wanted to give another quick update. I think my oscar is completely healed. He no longer has the white spots on his lateral line, and he is acting like his old self again. We battled HITH for the better part of 4 months. He does have scars on his head, and I feel bad about this, but he is great now. I was never able to find medicated sticks or the Boyd's vitamins that someone suggested. I did daily water changes, added salt to the aquarium, and added melafix every day. I had a problem with the nitrites for about 3 weeks, but have got them back down to zero. I have 3 oscars, but he's my oldest. I wanted to thank impur and wetwetwet, and everyone else for all the advice and guidance.

Amanda

 

[eskieluvr]

It's been 6 months and I wanted to write in and say that my oscar is doing FANTASTIC. He beat the HITH. He has a nice scar, but is still alive and swimming. I used Melafix, with StressZyme, and TONS of water changes, oh and aquarium saly. I clean my tanks out RELIGIOUSLY now. At least every other week, sometimes weekly.

manda in VA

 

[smb]

That's great to hear!! Thanks for the update and I'm happy it all worked out for you.