H. psittacus - sensory pores or HITH?

[Lab_Rat]

I can't tell whether my psittacus are developing HITH/HLLE or if it's just normal sensory pits on their heads. All the other photos I find of psittacus have similar holes/pores. They're fed high quality pellets and I do weekly water changes of 75%. No other fish have signs of HITH/HLLE. These guys have started growing rapidly. They did go on a 2 month hunger strike where they would only eat zucchini back when I first got them, but since mid September they've been eating pellets well. All the holes/pores are symmetrical on both fish.

 

[ryansmith83]

It looks like HITH to me but it's hard to say. Mine has noticeable sensory pits but they didn't look that large when the fish was smaller. Maybe someone else can chime in. These pictures aren't the best but it's the same fish at about 6" and again at 12" or so.

 

[Lab_Rat]

Thanks for the input. My guys seem to be in the same location as yours, but they do appear larger than on your fish. I am going to feed them some antiparasitic food with metronidazole in it for the next week or so. Of course none of the fish seem to like it (just fed it) and my psittacus are the pickiest fish in the tank. Hopefully they'll get hungry enough to eat it.

 

[Chase2011]

Most parrots have some pitting, I had some of the first false mouth cichlids in the country 25 years go. Your look great.n

 

[cyberhog05]

That looks excessive to me. Mine is around 5"'s or so and I have nothing that appears that bad.