Midas in LFS that appears to have severe HITH?

[Raine]

I went to a somewhat local fish store looking for tank backgrounds for my new 90g. Of course I have to look at the fish since the owner always takes in large unwanted fish.

Anyway I spot what appears to be a 10" or so inch male Midas. Upon closer inspection he had what looked to be HITH. His nostrils are eraser sized holes and a couple more fair sized pits between his eyes. I've never seen HITH on a Midas before... or HITH that bad. He also had excessive slime coat..

He remained in the front corner of the tank.. no aggression no nothing.. the large black pacus in the tank were not letting him go anywhere. I almost brought him home. But my 90g isn't even setup yet, so not cycled. I'm still waiting on the carib-sea sand I ordered to come in before I set it up.

My hubby thought I should pass on this guy since he's ill. But I not too worried about him being sick per say.. I can treat him. BUT is HITH curable when it's that far advanced?

 

[Gruff Master]

I've seen bad cases of Oscars with HITH that were cured but left terrible-looking scars. I have never seen a Midas with a case like this. I wouldn't purchase a very sick fish unless it was a fish that I absolutely had to have and if it was infected with something that I could easily cure. It comes down to what you are willing to do for the Midas and the results of the treatment.

 

[Natalie]

I've seen bad cases of Oscars with HITH that were cured but left terrible-looking scars. I have never seen a Midas with a case like this. I wouldn't purchase a very sick fish unless it was a fish that I absolutely had to have and if it was infected with something that I could easily cure. It comes down to what you are willing to do for the Midas and the results of the treatment.

I agree. The closest relative to a Midas I've seen with severe HITH was a Flowerhorn, and his entire face was depigmented and pitted with scars. I almost adopted him purely for sentimental reasons, but looking back I'm glad I didn't.

His HITH may regress or it may not. My guess is that the HITH can be stopped with good water quality, good nutrition, and as little stress as possible. If he gets that 90g to himself, the lesions will likely stop growing. His existing scars probably won't look any better with time, they just won't get any worse.

If you have it in your heart to devote a 90g tank to a less-perfect-looking Midas, then I commend you. He may end up being the best pet ever... he'll just have some disfigurement for the rest of his life.

 

[Raine]

I have a habit of rescuing sick fish. The oscars in my avatar were rescued from a different lfs, living in a 30g tank. They had a ton of issues with internal and external parasites. They were stunted.. Plus had permanent gill damage from high ammonia and nitrite. They were not the prettiest oscars but I got them healthy again.

It's possible the HITH on the Midas is already healed. There is no visable flesh, they just look like skin colored holes. After googling HITH.. they look like they maybe be healed over? He's a creamsicle with blue eyes.

I'll call the owner and find out if he's treating him.. let him know I'm possibly interested. Maybe I can get him to move him out of that tank into another by himself. I'm doing a fishless cycle. Definitely won't do him any good to put him in an uncycled tank.

If the holes don't heal I could always name him Scarface. LOL

 

[GTbEaSt]

Rescuing fish is so much more reawrding i personally think. If you do get him, you would have to put in alot of effort in him, Good Water and Variety food are some things. HITH will take time to heal over, but If your up to it then go ahead and do it. Keep us updated. Good Luck

 

[Snowflake311]

I got some free uaru with bad HITH. I too like to take on sick fish and rescue. The Uaru were 100% cleared up in 3 mouths. No scares at all. But the holes were not deep they were wide.

Hith will clear up fast in a week I saw a differance. I gave them fish vitamines called vitchem and did 50% wc everyday. They were also in there own tank so there was little stress.

So yes do it if you have the room. Hith is not a big deal it's due to poor water quality. I would not add the sick looking fish to any others treat in a hospital tank for 2 weeks or more. Then things should be fine.

 

[Chicklette]

Oh I see so many depressed oscars at the fish store, it's so sad. I think when you get your tank up and running you should get him. He deserves a good life.

 

[Raine]

I'm seriously thinking about it. He'd have the 90g to himself. My only concern is that's his personality is very un-midas like. I don't know if it's because he's getting his butt kicked by the pacu's or if there is more than just HITH wrong with him.

I called the store yesterday but the person I talked to told me to call back after 2pm today. I might just go down there and talk to them. If I go I'll see if I can get a pic of him so you guys can see what I'm dealing with.

 

[GTbEaSt]

His personality is probaly not there cause he is super stressed out at the LFS. Honestly I would grab him, but thats me. I like the challenge of healing a fish, and i find really rewarding when the fish is back to normal. My opinion. Take a picture and let us see.

 

[Natalie]

I'm seriously thinking about it. He'd have the 90g to himself. My only concern is that's his personality is very un-midas like. I don't know if it's because he's getting his butt kicked by the pacu's or if there is more than just HITH wrong with him.

I called the store yesterday but the person I talked to told me to call back after 2pm today. I might just go down there and talk to them. If I go I'll see if I can get a pic of him so you guys can see what I'm dealing with.

He's probably extremely stressed and knows the other fish are in charge, so he's trying to make himself as invisible as possible. I think he would perk right up in his own tank.

Have you considered speeding up the cycle by adding mature bacteria from your oscar tank? You could take a few handfuls of ceramic rings or sponges or whatever, shake them around in the 90g tank water, and then put them in the filter. That's how I "instant-cycle" all of my tanks. You just have to either add the fish within 24 hours of seeding, or continue adding ammonia.

I'm anxious to see what he looks like. Creamsicle Midas are my absolute favorite fish (have one myself!).