Hole-in-the-Head - Updates

[ChocoMeijin]

I got this one from Wal-Mart about 5-6 days ago, seeing as his colouring was nice (red cambo bf) and noticed that he had mouth fungus, was really pale and something else. His head was swollen and bumpy (his eyes looked small cause the swelling was that bad) and there was a big red bloody, eaten looking patch between his eyes and before his mouth. It looked painful cause he would try to nose the sides of his tank and flinch. So I've been treating him with Kanacyn (Sunday is the next treatment) and the first day after, it looked much better, not bloody and less bumpy.

Unfortunately he didn't seem to get any better and his face still seemed kinda deformed. He also has trouble breathing and hasn't eaten at all. I'd been looking him over carefully every day, but since he's a bit higher than eye level I didn't notice this "new" thing until today when I was playing around with my flashlight.

I hopped on a chair and shined the flashlight on him from up top. I got goosebumps to see what I had found.

That whole area on top of his head is missing. It's clean, but gone. His mouth is completely useless, it's that bad. He's not even breathing through his mouth, but through this hole. He can't eat cause he doesn't/can't use his mouth.

What do I do.

I want to do a 100% water change but I think it'll kill him. I want to see if I can switch him over to some other medication, but I'm not sure what. I'm thinking Tetracylene, but I'd have to change the water. I'll try and do a 50% - 75% tomorrow, possibly. Is there any way to get food into him without him actually eating it; he's quite skinny and I've still yet to see him eat. Any kind of thing he can just absorb or something.

I don't think he's going to last long. Surprised he's already lasted this long.

EDIT: Going to take a pic right this minute.

 

[GuppyDude]

aww, thats probably one of the worst cases of hole in the head iv ever heard of. it sound like all u can really do is continue with ur current treatment. god that must be awful. perhaps anothoer memeber here acn help u out

 

[Vip]

Well, i dont know what fish it is that your talking about but i have had hole in the head with my cichlids, and the best med for them is fresh water daily, after 40% water changes daily it goes away with in 5 days.

 

[gingerbread27]

my betta has something similar going on, except his hole is under neath his head, and he has patches of skin gone.

 

[ChocoMeijin]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that, Vip, he's a betta. Anyone know about vitamins as well, and if they can be absorbed rather than eaten?

Also, his temp. is 79.8F, and he does swim around a bit, but he mostly has his face to the surface.

Sorry, no pics yet cause of COURSE my camera upload program has to crash out on me.

EDIT: Also the hole is like across his face, so it's like ___ long and 3/4 of a | high.

 

[wuvmybetta]

There are all kinds of liquid minerals and vitamins you can buy at a health food store (since you asked) I highly recommend colloidal silver. It repairs damaged tissue and fights bacteria. But it might be too late,he sounds pretty bad. Does he show any interest in food at all?

 

[ChocoMeijin]

Not at all; I tried a few different types except flakes. I think he looked at a pellet a few times, but he didn't even try. I think everything is a bit too big for him anyways, and he seems to concentrate a bit more on breathing. Hs gills hang out a bit. I'm just hoping he doesn't die tomorrow since he didn't really like me moving around him so much.

 

[wuvmybetta]

That's too bad It's hard to turn down sick fish at the department store but it's even harder to not be able to help them once you get them home, I understand. Prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best

 

[ChocoMeijin]

I know... I figure if I get a sick fish and it dies, at least it's in a nice clean place where it is loved etc. But then I got too attached... >_< Here's to hoping...

 

[maui]

Oh dears, his condition sounds awful, im so sorry.
Bestest of luck treating your little guy, i really admire your continuous efforts to help him out and make him feel better - so very awesome of you.
Keep us posted on his condition and i hope all goes well.

 

[ChocoMeijin]

Thanks for the support everybody, I'll keep you all posted on his status.

I had read that some good success had been found with using Melafix, of all things!, and I'm going to try treating him with that. I'm in the process of moving him to a 2gal. right now, so we'll see how he does overnight. I've got an indian almond leaf with him now, I'll transfer that over and add a bit more just to keep the water going good. Maybe steal some java moss from the females tank.

UPDATE:

Switched him over to the new tank; he seems happier I guess! The water is full of melafix and indian almond leaves. The tank (a 5.5gal about half full w/ gravel) is smack-dab against my females tank and before I knew it, he was flaring at one! Unbelievable! And she was semi-interested! This guy with a hole in his head! I'll never get over it. I carded them though, or else he might start to rub his mouth against the wall or get too excited.

Fed him 1 hikari pellet... he didn't even look; I even poked it a bit with a toothpick. I squirted in some boiled egg yolk that I'm feeding my fry, giving him all the bigger bits at the bottom, and he looked at it a bit. Dunno if he ate any. Even if he did, it would float outta the hole >_<

UPDATE (2 days after last update (don't wanna double-post lol)):

Well he's eating! I'm feeding him bits of boiled egg yolk just tossed in there. MAkes the tank really dirty but he east the bits that are falling down! And yes, some do float out the hole >_< I'm waiting to see of the Melafix kicks in since his anal fin is a bit beat up too. I think he'll survive! I also saw him flare at nothing once, so I'm sure he's getting better. His body is still pale, but now I'm wondering if that's his regular colour. I asked the marine biologist who owns my lfs about it and he said if it grows back, it'll only be the skin, not bone if the bone has been affected. So that's it for now! I'll keep updating for those incase they have similar problems and search out this topic.