Possible Hole In The Head Oscar

75 gallon, heat 78, tank set up 10 months, all my permaiters should be 0 but due to neglect they were prob higher then they should. I did weekly water changes at roughly 40% ... the last month I've notice my oscar fish been staying at the bottom near this laying hole I thought nothing of it as online said this could be part of mating (my oscar is 10 months) these past two weeks I've noticed they have gotten worse, 85% of the time while the lights are on are spent in that laying hole, once the lights go off my oscar is up near the top. Still eating though, at dinner time hes up swimming like he hasn't been fed in weeks. On sunday while changing the water I noticed what looks to be a circle near the back of the head, I've noticed a few times my oscar would appear to have a seizure, they will spasm will mouth wide open then act like nothing happened. I'll be upping my water changes to every couple days, anything else I should be doing or anything I could add? I have Melafix will this help? I have this feeling I'm too far gone with him and I'll keep making him suffer. Any info is great thanks

 

Definitely looks like it.

 

Definitely looks like it.

Anything I can do or buy that will help? I know more water changes will help.

 

Think you're best chance is treatment. I believe Metrodinazole is the med to use but I am not familiar with it.

Others please.jump.in.

 

Think you're best chance is treatment. I believe Metrodinazole is the med to use but I am not familiar with it.

Others please.jump.in.

That's what I was reading also, thanks for your info I'll look into that

 

Following to learn more. Also A201 and coralbandit ( i'm sure there are many others here as well it's just too early to remember who else ) are also good with suggesting meds for treatment. Not at all knocking DoubleDutch suggestion just tagging others to help with other opinions and suggestions

 

I agree with DoubleDutch, Seachem's Metroplex. Mix with SeaChem's Focus & Food. As long as the Oscar is eating, recovery chances as good.

 

I agree with DoubleDutch, Seachem's Metroplex. Mix with SeaChem's Focus & Food. As long as the Oscar is eating, recovery chances as good.

Thank you, oh yeah hes still eating is an understatement I'll looks into those meds thanks again

I should have asked, is Melafix ok until friday when I can the meds? I looked up metronidazole and Melafix kept coming up

 

Melafix is more of an antiseptic. It won't hurt anything. Be sure to change out at least 50% of the water weekly. If you run activated carbon in your filter, remove it. There is a suspected link between charcoal and HITH / Hexamita in certain cichlids.

 

Poor guy. I hope he feels better. Maybe Dawn Michele can help? She knows one or two things about oscars. Haven't seen her on in a while though. I kept one for a short time - just got really bored with him - but while I was reading I remember that diet can be a contributing factor to this condition as well. Does he get a good variety of high quality foods?

 

I agree with DoubleDutch, Seachem's Metroplex. Mix with SeaChem's Focus & Food. As long as the Oscar is eating, recovery chances as good.

I agree. Metro plex is great for dealing with hith. Make sure to keep that water clean. Alos Hith spreads like wildfire so best to treat anyone else in the tank as well

 

I agree. Metro plex is great for dealing with hith. Make sure to keep that water clean. Alos Hith spreads like wildfire so best to treat anyone else in the tank as well

Stupid question. Is that the same stuff ?

 

Its the same stuff.

 

I would also try just adding a vitamin like Boyds vita chem to food or water..
I also will just suggest those may be old injuries ?? they don't exactly match most HLLE I have seen although I would definitely do the treatment with metro ..

 

I would also try just adding a vitamin like Boyds vita chem to food or water..
I also will just suggest those may be old injuries ?? they don't exactly match most HLLE I have seen although I would definitely do the treatment with metro ..

I can't seem to order metro in canada, I've been dealing with fin rot on him, got it under control and thought all was fine

 

I was able to cure HITH on an Oscar by upping the water changes to 2x 50% a week for a month. Once healed, resumed the one 50% WC a week. The Oscar was still eating at the time. He only exhibited the eroded sensory pits.

 

I was able to cure HITH on an Oscar by upping the water changes to 2x 50% a week for a month. Once healed, resumed the one 50% WC a week. The Oscar was still eating at the time. He only exhibited the eroded sensory pits.

That was my first thought, looked online and kept reading meds, hopped on here and got great info. I'm afraid hes a little to far for just water changes

 

Hello!!! HITH is due to poor water conditions & diet!!! You need to do 50% water changes every week!!! These guy's need clean water & a BIG tank!!! coralbandit gave you GREAT advice!!! I also use the Vita Chem!!! It's good stuff!! The Metro will also be good for him!!! Keep us posted on how he is doing!!!

 

Update time- fish isn't doing well, refused food today, spoke to a co worker about his situation, said he will take him off my hands and get him back to 100% ... tonight is my last night with him, tomorrow he will be going to a better home

 

IM so sorry he isn't doing well!!! You did your BEST!!! Hopefully your co worker will get him better!!!

 

IM so sorry he isn't doing well!!! You did your BEST!!! Hopefully your co worker will get him better!!!

Thank you, I know I could have done more but I won't let that get me down. My co worker will get him better, I've seen all the tanks and everything he does, thankfully I can go visit anytime I want. Feels odd looking at the tank without him

 

Sorry he's not doing well, but hope he makes a recovery in his new tank. Did you find the Metro? It tastes pretty bad so I add garlic juice to disguise the bitter taste and my fish except it better.

 

I can't seem to order metro in canada, I've been dealing with fin rot on him, got it under control and thought all was fine

Following... can you share any info on your friends treatment if successful as well please to help others?
API General Cure has metro in it.. is that a possibility where you live?

Crossposting... Success Rates Treating Hith After The Fish Quit Eating?

 

So discouraging and annoying that antibiotics are now banned in Canada. Some have had some success feeding Epsom Salts. It's often used when Metro fails or as an alternative or added with Metro.
Treating Hexamita with Epsom Salts

The thing i'm not sure about is if they treat the parasite Spironucleus only or the symptoms of HITH which is caused by poor water conditions and/or nutrition. In the latter case, improving water conditions and diet is the best treatment. I 100% agree with the Boyd vitamins in the water, when he's not eating, he will still uptake the vitamins via gills. I know it seems too late, but fixing the cause is the treatment. Anyway, hope he recovers well

 

So discouraging and annoying that antibiotics are now banned in Canada. Some have had some success feeding Epsom Salts. It's often used when Metro fails or as an alternative or added with Metro.
Treating Hexamita with Epsom Salts

The thing i'm not sure about is if they treat the parasite Spironucleus only or the symptoms of HITH which is caused by poor water conditions and/or nutrition. In the latter case, improving water conditions and diet is the best treatment. I 100% agree with the Boyd vitamins in the water, when he's not eating, he will still uptake the vitamins via gills. I know it seems too late, but fixing the cause is the treatment. Anyway, hope he recovers well

I've tried the Epson Salts with internal Hexamita and I think it did help the fish survive longer, but I'm not sure it ever cleaned it up. Think I've read they can live with internal Heximita but when they are under stress again the issue will resurface. Always looking for more information on this subject. @anglecraze... thank you!

 

Following... can you share any info on your friends treatment if successful as well please to help others?
API General Cure has metro in it.. is that a possibility where you live?

Crossposting... Success Rates Treating Hith After The Fish Quit Eating?

Yeah I'll ask him what hes going to be giving him. No apI general cure has been banned from canada I believe, no store or amazon(canada) has it

Sorry he's not doing well, but hope he makes a recovery in his new tank. Did you find the Metro? It tastes pretty bad so I add garlic juice to disguise the bitter taste and my fish except it better.

I did find it on Amazon, it's a little expensive though. How do you know it taste bad? Did you sample it lol

So discouraging and annoying that antibiotics are now banned in Canada. Some have had some success feeding Epsom Salts. It's often used when Metro fails or as an alternative or added with Metro.
Treating Hexamita with Epsom Salts

The thing i'm not sure about is if they treat the parasite Spironucleus only or the symptoms of HITH which is caused by poor water conditions and/or nutrition. In the latter case, improving water conditions and diet is the best treatment. I 100% agree with the Boyd vitamins in the water, when he's not eating, he will still uptake the vitamins via gills. I know it seems too late, but fixing the cause is the treatment. Anyway, hope he recovers well

I've learned a lot from this situation (bad it had to be this way) thankfully this site is filled with amazing people who give great advice. For the boyd vitamins, do I just give that when a fish seems sick or can I just add it to the tank once every week or weeks? I'll be adding it to the order list today

 

I did find it on Amazon, it's a little expensive though. How do you know it taste bad? Did you sample it lol

I knew I'd get a comment like that lol! I usually write 'apparently' it tastes bad from what I've read. I did have one picky fish that didn't even accept it with garlic, but the others did with enthusiasm almost because I laced Repashy gel foods. My fish love Repashy!

Boyd vitamins: You can add them to the water all the time, or add it to the fish food as a supplement, but it's particularly helpful with fish that need nutrition but stop eating for some reason.

 

Yeah I'll ask him what hes going to be giving him. No apI general cure has been banned from canada I believe, no store or amazon(canada) has it

I did find it on Amazon, it's a little expensive though. How do you know it taste bad? Did you sample it lol

I've learned a lot from this situation (bad it had to be this way) thankfully this site is filled with amazing people who give great advice. For the boyd vitamins, do I just give that when a fish seems sick or can I just add it to the tank once every week or weeks? I'll be adding it to the order list today

Still available at local fish stores in BC... API General Cure, Seachem Metroplex, HikarI HealthAid Metro which is bulk Metronidazole in 2 sizes one being very large. I bought the small 3.4 oz bottle that will last me forever. General Cure sells for $19.95 for the 10 pouches. Seachem Metro about $16 and the small HikarI Metro $11.99

 

My Oscar is about 4.5 months old. I’m worried that he has HITH. Pic below. Any info you can provide would be appreciated.

 

Welcome to Fishlore sorry an issue brings you here hope our members can help you today.

 

Anyone?

 

Hard to see, but HITH often shows white craters (first spots). These look "natural" and the same color as the rest of the fish.

So to be honest : I doubt it

 

My Oscar is about 4.5 months old. I’m worried that he has HITH. Pic below. Any info you can provide would be appreciated.

Does your oscar have holes on his head? Does he lose his apetite?

 

No he is perfectly fine with his appetite, but he does have holes on his head.

 

Those are sensory pits I believe ..
I am not real good with Oscars but I believe this is a good possibility .

 

I got a better picture of him

 

One of the quotes from my reading on Oscar sensory pits is they form in circles ..
I see 3 circles ..
Related questions
The presence of holes on the body of the fish but the fish is not sick? This is totally possible, many fish like the Oscars have tiny pits all over their body. These are called sensory pits. These holes are arranged in circles and are completely normal.
Taken from ; Hole in Head of the Oscar Fish - Disease & Treatment [ 2020 ]
Not exactly a scientific journal but seems reasonably accurate enough IMO .

 

I not really sure, but if it's tails is starting to turn white, moving kinda weird, and not eating for spitting out it's food. Then I'm pretty sure it's HITH

 

If he is eating, acting normal, and everything else then I agree that it is probably not HITH and more likely sensory pits.

 

He’s acting normal always begging for food and is still the bottomless pit he always was. It looks like his tail has a sliver of white on it but as far as I can tell he’s always had that.