Beginning Stages of Hole in the Head? HELP!

[zacharymiller1118]

Hi all,
I've had this parrot cichlid for around 2 years in a 55 gallon tank with other cichlids. He's pretty aggressive so he's able to fend for himself. However, recently, he has stopped eating and is swimming clumsily (running into things). He primarily stays in one area and does not venture out of the top corner, although usually he roams the tank. Additionally, his tail is getting nipped which is not normal. Attached are a few photos I took, Im not sure if it is hole in the head. I change 30% of the water every single week, replace carbon and ammonia filters, use aquarium salt and stress coat etc...
I checked the ammonia/nitrates and it is all pretty low and normal. I have a water strip picture attached that shows nitrates, nitrites, hardness, chlorine, alkalinity, along with three photos of the cichlid. There's some spots on its head, and a large white area (its not a hole) but very discolored around his eye.
Do you guys think its hole in the head? Any advice appreciated. - Zach
Tank parameters:
55 gal
cycled for over 3 years
water changes- 30% 1x a week
temperature- ~80 degrees F
Nitrates- 30ppm
Nitrites- 0 ppm
Hardness- 300 ppm
Chlorine- 0 ppm
Alkalinity- low
pH- 6.2
nitrates/ammonia/phosphates/alkalinity (photo attached)

 

[!poogs!]

I see what you are saying.

Because I have been a cichlid keeper for decades I have done a fair bit of reading on the subject. I‘m not saying I know this 100 percent for sure, but this is what I read.

It’s treatable with Seachem Metroplex.

Larger water changes can help prevent, up to 50 percent.

Activated Carbon can be catalyst to HTH.

And oddly, feeding cichlids blood worms, especially so in Discus.

And last but not least...stress like fin nippers etc.

These are things I have read over the years, hope it helps.

 

[86 ssinit]

Poogs gave you all the info . Large water changes do clean it up. I would do that first before meds. Some of your other fish have closed fins too so you may have a water problem. Test strips are not the best way to test. Get the api test master. Test your ammonia. Your ph is very low. What is the ph out of the tap. 6.2 does sound like old tank syndrome.

 

[!poogs!]

Poogs gave you all the info . Large water changes do clean it up. I would do that first before meds. Some of your other fish have closed fins too so you may have a water problem. Test strips are not the best way to test. Get the api test master. Test your ammonia. Your ph is very low. What is the ph out of the tap. 6.2 does sound like old tank syndrome.

I wasn’t going to say anything about the test strips, but 86 is 100 percent correct. Strips can collect moisture or get old and not give accurate readings, they also bleed and run after you take them out the water. It’s not the way to go. API and Fluval make very good test kits. I like Seachem products but I find their results hard to read.

I honestly was thinking ammonia or maybe you had a some ammonia spikes in the past You never noticed.

 

[zacharymiller1118]

Thanks all,
I’ll invest in the master test kit tomorrow. I made a 50% water change last night and now the BP is resting on the bottom. Not breathing heavy or anything though. Would you recommend more water changes or just switch to the medication straight away?

 

[86 ssinit]

How does the metro work? Can you change water? How often do you dose? I don’t medicate but do know metro will work. Hith is related to water conditions so water changes and salt will also work.
Could you get some better pics. I just want to see the infected area. May be something else.

 

[zacharymiller1118]

How does the metro work? Can you change water? How often do you dose? I don’t medicate but do know metro will work. Hith is related to water conditions so water changes and salt will also work.
Could you get some better pics. I just want to see the infected area. May be something else.

Here are some more pics I got. There’s no holes but discoloration which makes me think beginning stages of hole in the head. I’m concerned if I do another water change it might push the BP over the edge with the stress. Might just start medicating tomorrow

 

[86 ssinit]

Ok better pics but still hard to tell. It doesn’t look like the skin is rotting off does it? If not it hith. Clean water and salt will take care of it. But since the whole tank may need it use the metro. It’s important to follow the instructions and does as written.