Why do Oscars get Hole in the head so easily?

over the years I have found that geophagus (earth eater) species are very prone to it as well.

I don't buy the carbon theory. It's probably nutritional deficiencies. Poor water quality can result in a less healthy fish that gets heximita and then doesn't absorb nutrients efficiently. Genetics also seem to play a role.

problem is, many of us keep our fish in pristine water with great food etc and they still get HITH..if they are a south american cichlid.

the theories sound great on paper, but don't apply well to the real experiences out there..

12 Volt Man;3713069; said:

problem is, many of us keep our fish in pristine water with great food etc and they still get HITH..if they are a south american cichlid.

the theories sound great on paper, but don't apply well to the real experiences out there..

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I have to agree. Even the best kept get it from time to time. It's very random it seems.

sostoudt;3712889; said:

i recommend you get the basics from wiki. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_in_the_head_disease

based on what i read, hith is some kind of immuno malfunction caused
poor nutrition
inadequate nutrition(i.e not enough for its stress ful life)
poor digestion(hexamita parasite attach intestines of animal reducing nutrient absorption)
genetics.

edit: i really have no clue why i researched it, ive only had 2 cichlids in my life, maybe its a good mystery.

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lol wikipedia is about as reliable a source as the guy that gave Dan Rather the killian documents, there is no known cause of HITH, mostly cause no major company or scientific body sees any need to find a cause.

Well I have two Oscars that were bought at Petsmart one with HITH one without any signs of it. They are both about 9-10 months old. The one has had it for the past 3 months now. Water conditions are great and they both eat a varied diet. I have also had a number of Oscars in the past usually 2-3 in a tank bought at the same time and either one or none has gotten it. I really feel it's genetics not water conditions and not their diet. I've seen Oscars that were kept in very poor conditions not get it and ones fed the same thing day after day for their entire life not get it. I myself when I was young kept 3 Oscars in a 30 gallon long tank hardly ever did water changes and only fed them pellets for food and none of them ever had HITH. science hasn't been able to come up with a true cause to it either. just my two cents.