HITH or just sensory pits? (Midas)

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N

Natalie

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 31, 2007
1,552
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Florida
My 5" Midas (suspected male) just entered his crazy aggressive phase a few days ago, and therefore I've been able to get a better look at him. He's eating and acting healthily but I noticed the area around his sensory pits have become a little larger and are depigmented. I'm worried about HITH, but he's in a 55g by himself with weekly 50% water changes. Water parameters are:

Temperature: 82 degrees
pH: 8.0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20 ppm (right before weekly water changes)

Do you all think he's ok??

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Sorry to say...HITH....On young beauty like that too....
 
Wow!..nice midas,sorry but that def looks like HITH. im no expert on dealing with this ,but many people on here now there stuff im sure they will give you the help you need.
 
Oh boy, I don't know what I'm doing wrong! He has been hiding for a few months (I always assumed it was because he was shy) but he kept a good appetite and I kept the water clean. I had read about juvie Midas/RD being shy so I figured that was it. Do you think he was so stressed that he induced HITH?
I always read that the two causes for HITH are bad water parameters or bad quality food. He's fed Hikari pellets, NLS cichlid formula, spirulina, and frozen live foods so I don't think poor nutrition is the cause.
 
The fish could just be a weaker specimen. Bubble wand, keeping with a rich diet, increased temp, and salt can ease the errosion and allow the damage to heal a bit. The thing with HITH, is that it can come back as soon as anything is out of whack.
 
Okay thank you for the help. I have some Jungle Parasite Clear tablets (I raised blue Dempseys so I always had it on hand) should I start those do you think or just the salt?

I'll need to purchase a bubble wand but I'll turn up the heater a few degrees to 85. Thanks for the quick responses.
 
It isn't a parasite. But if the fish is already weakened then secondary infections can take hold. Something soothing like salt and possibly melafix/pimafix can stop anything before it gets too bad.
 
Okay I wasn't sure if Hexamita was playing a role. His poo has been normal so he doesn't have the characteristic white feces but... hmm. I just want to do all I can.
 
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