spectabilis with small holes

[joshc21]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

10

If yes, what is your nitrate?

30

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

21-30%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every two weeks

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

has anyone ever seen this?? my buccochromis spectabilis starting having these hole like dots start forming all over his body, (photo kind of makes it look like ich but it’s not). he is still eating fine and is active in the tank but the holes are definitely concerning. i’ve done a water change and have added salt. any information is helpful

 

[james99]

Looks like hole in head disease. I would up the water changes first and see if that helps. Soaking food in an epsom salt/tank water solution before feeding will also help. The fish looks pretty bad though, between the holes and sunken stomach.

 

[fishdance]

Needs some coral sand/rubble, oyster shell in the tank or filter to increase water hardness.

 

[duanes]

Looks like hole in head disease. I would up the water changes first and see if that helps. Soaking food in an epsom salt/tank water solution before feeding will also help. The fish looks pretty bad though, between the holes and sunken stomach.

Agree
A water change schedule of 20-30% every 2 weeks is not sufficient, to ward off HITH, you need to bring nitrate down to below 10ppm, and the only way to do that would be to seriously up your schedule and volume of water changes. I'd up it 30% twice per week.

 

[esoxlucius]

Can you clarify your nitrite reading? What are you measuring your nitrite with to get a reading of 10ppm? The API kit most of us use is only measurable up to 5ppm, which is bad enough, but 10ppm!!!!! That is lethal. I'm hoping you've made a mistake!

What size tank is your fish in, and what other stock, if any, have you got in the tank?