Does this look like HITH to you?

[jeffries]

I tried to get as good of pictures as I could, so I hope they are sufficient.

The water is blue because I suspect I might have a small amount of Ich and I am treating it with meds.

I know, I know... it's not the recommended way to treat Ich on the forum here, but I am only going to use the meds for 2-3 days and if that doesn't work, I will do the recommended salt/raising temps method.

Anyways, here are the pics...

What do you think?

 

[farawayinn]

pics a bit fuzzy, but sure looks like hith to me.

 

[jeffries]

Sorry about the fuzziness of the pics. I was trying to get a closeup shot without using the flash on my camera, because a faraway shot would certainly not do anyone any good. Of course, I am no camera expert either....

 

[Lupin]

Water parameters? Food you provide them? How often do you feed? What is your tank maintenance regimen and do you use RO water?

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

just keep up with the water changes, that will be the key. There are also remedies available that can be used for HITH that lfs carry

 

[jeffries]

Water parameters? Food you provide them? How often do you feed? What is your tank maintenance regimen and do you use RO water?

I don't have a measurement on my water parameters, but I can answer your other questions. I feed him Omega One sinking shrimp pellets and Ocean Nutrition Cichlid Omni Flakes. He doesn't seem to respond well to anything that floats. I feed him once a day, generally an amount that is about equal in physical size to his eye and I alternate the flakes and pellets every other day.

I do a good 40% water change on a weekly basis. I have sand for substrate and I should mention that I am not very successful at "vacuuming" the sand because at my apartment we have those "gooseneck" faucets and I haven't run across an adapter that would allow me to use something like a Python syphon/vacuum. I have a Marineland HOB filter and it does have a bio-wheel. I will admit that I don't scrub it down as often as I probably should.

Also, I don't use RO water. I use tap water that I treat with Stress Coat from API. As a general maintenance, I also use a tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons of water. I am not sure if I am going to continue this practice though, because I have been reading that this might do more harm than good in the long run.

 

[jeffries]

just keep up with the water changes, that will be the key. There are also remedies available that can be used for HITH that lfs carry

What sort of water change schedule would you recommmend? I think I read that I should be doing a 25% water change every other day. Does that sound right?

I should also point out that I removed the carbon filter because the medicine for Ich told me to do so.

I did read on the forum here that any sort of "remedy" that a LFS sells for HITH is bogus and not to waste your money on it. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Pharaoh]

Just keep up water changes and he should come back around.

 

[jeffries]

Just keep up water changes and he should come back around.

That's good to hear. He is still very active and has a very good appetitte.

I just feel really bad because I rescued him in the first place because he was beat up pretty bad by his tankmates and I got him all fixed up and now my negligence has given him HITH.

Does anyone know how long it usually takes for the holes to start healing up, on average?

 

[TwistedPenguin]

Is this the fish you just recently got? If it is, let us know as that's handy info to have & it means that your fish-keeping practices aren't the cause of his problem. There's a HITH theory for every person on every forum. I've read tons and tons about it as it's probably the main thing about fish-keeping that really interests me a LOT. Plus I have 6 Oscars and they're prone to it. From everything I've been able to come up with my vote is HITH comes about from a fish living in water too high in nitrates, as in over 20-25 ppm long term. Not all fish are suseptable but a good share of the SA's are and that's where your fish is from. It sure looks like HITH. You could easily up your water changes to 60-70% a week. Heck, if you've already got the hose out you may as well do a big water change. Let your nitrates be your guide. When they hit 20 ppm do a 60-70% water change. Also feed a varied diet with 'greens'. Spirulina tablets, zucchini to snack on, that sort of stuff. Shrimp sometimes, earthworms, bugs, you get the picture. That's my advice although you're not obligated in any way to take it