i have some young oscars.. that may be developing hole in the head.. i originally thought they were cuts or scapes from the slate in the tank but its been some time now and they have not healed and i'v notice a few more. They arent holes yet and its been over a month so im suprised but i guess its time to move along to some kind of treatment before it gets out of hand. What are some recommended preliminary treatments? since it is not full blown hole in the head id prefer not to do crazy treatments if not necessary. I've started doing 20% water changes every 2 or 3 days to ensure tank remains very clean.
oscar hole in the head
- Thread starter vdawgs22
- Start date
What are your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels? How many Oscars in what size tank, with what type of filtration? Do you have anything in the tank (heaters, powerheads, etc.) which could be releasing stray current? What do you feed? These are all thought to be common reasons for HITH, though its exact causes haven't been pinpointed. There is also a parasite which can cause this condition, but that's usually the last thing to rule out, since this other stuff is easier to fix and doesn't require medication.
my water tests fine... its well water too which so i dont need to treat it for ph or anything upon water changes... there are 2 oscars and 2 africans in a 55 gallon.. the oscars arent very big yet when they are they will be put into a 125 that currently has 1 big bad ass oscar in it
i feed them hikari cichlid gold.. i'm using a heater and a aquaclear powerhead with the quick filter attachment... i have some metro+ , could it hurt or help to soak some food and feed them it?.. i also have the hikari gold in the silver bad (the veggie one instead of the meat one) i could feed that if it is more nutritious i just tend not to use it because it makes the tank smell terrible!
i feed them hikari cichlid gold.. i'm using a heater and a aquaclear powerhead with the quick filter attachment... i have some metro+ , could it hurt or help to soak some food and feed them it?.. i also have the hikari gold in the silver bad (the veggie one instead of the meat one) i could feed that if it is more nutritious i just tend not to use it because it makes the tank smell terrible!
So, by "fine," you mean ammonia and nitrite at zero, and nitrates below 20? Are you sure that the heater and powerhead aren't releasing stray current? I wouldn't medicate without ruling out every other possible cause. I use some pretty stinky foods (including raw squid, fish, and shrimp) and Massivore Delite, as well as the Cichlid Bio-Gold and Cichlid Staple, and my tank's water has never smelled as a result, so I'm worried about why the water stinks after you feed a certain type of food. Overall, variety is better than just the same thing every day, so it would be better for them to receive various foods, which could include cut-up fish filet, earthworm, peas, etc.
ammonia is zero nitrites are zero, nitrates i've never tested in my life. and as far as the food smelling up... i have several tanks and it makes the room smell no matter which tank i put the food in...and as far as the powerhead and stray current.. im not sure what that means.......
you need to test nitrates as high nitrates is thought to be another cause of HITH, also by stray current, they mean if there is something wrong with anything electrical in your tank that could be transmitting a small electrical current into the tank, how often were you changing the water before you noticed the HITH? how big are the Os and how big are the africans, Os are dirty fish and can dirty a tank's water pretty quickly especially if its a smaller tank like a 55 and variety is def better as well, try feeding some kind of frozen food in addition to the pellets or at least some kind of insect (i like feeding earth worms and crickets as live and bloodworms as frozen)
how would i know if there was a stray current in my tank? and i guess i'll order a nitrate test kit.... i probably wasnt changing the water as often as i should have been when i noticed the HITH but i wasnt neglecting the tank either... i was doing 1 major water change like every 3 weeks
i have a emperor 400 on tank and powerhead with quick filter
i have a emperor 400 on tank and powerhead with quick filter
Feed him very well!
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Jion Oscar and Cichlid Lovers group!
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Jion Oscar and Cichlid Lovers group!
oscarlover61898;3566347; said:
Feed them 1/2 the amount of food your feeding now. Keep water CLEAN....
i actually had a nitrite test from api i forgot about..it was 0..light blue so i'm in the clear..... no nitrite, nitrate or ammonia... ive been doing water changes frequently and i haven't seen any improvenemnt... no1 thinks it would be a good idea to soak some food in metro and feed for a few days, incase it is a paraiste?