What are these holes in my gourami’s head?

Hi.
Has anyone seen something like this? Just noticed these holes near my blue gourami’s mouth and eyes. I didn’t think anything of it at first...but the holes have gotten more prominent and seem to be spreading. I just moved him from a different tank that was finished cycling (he went through the process), but I never let the ammonia levels get out of whack during that time. And if it was ammonia burn, I would expect to see it on the gills, too. What is this? The holes appeared before I moved him. Also, the new tank should be 0,0,0. I just put water in two days ago.

I do have chlorine in my tap water. Usually I add AquaSafe dechlorinator, but I may have forgotten once. Could this have caused it?

 

Very hard to see anything. A closer pic may help. Could be hole in the head. How often do you change your water? Do you use actived charcoal? Do you feed blood worms?

 

Very hard to see anything. A closer pic may help. Could be hole in the head. How often do you change your water? Do you use actived charcoal? Do you feed blood worms?

Oops. I think I attached the image incorrectly. Anyway, here’s a closeup. I am currently using activated carbon, but I was planning to take it out because I’ve been reading how it isn’t needed most of the time. No, I have not fed bloodworms. I try to change 50% every week (and I’m sticking to that now), but last month I went several weeks without touching the tank because parameters seemed good.

 

Better pic and I believe it’s hole in the head (hith). Remove the charcoal and for a few weeks change the water 2x a week. It could have started when you went without water changing and than just got worse because of the carbon. Change out the carbon for another media. Matrix,ceramic rings or anything similar. The fish should heal. Or at least not get worse.

 

I could be wrong, but I believe those are the fish equivalent of nostrils: called nares.

 

I could be wrong, but I believe those are the fish equivalent of nostrils: called nares.

Possibly. But I’m still concerned about the long scar/hole over his lip. The little ones could be nostrils but the big one isn’t in the right space. It doesn’t show that well in the picture, but the holes are pretty red, too. Also I’ve noticed little holes spreading. Again, the picture doesn’t quite capture that.

 

Sorry I’m not a gourami keeper. I though we were looking at the indentation right behind the mouth. But no I looked them up and that’s normal!! So yes there’s nothing wrong with that fish. Just something wrong with me . But you can still get rid of the carbon.

 

Sorry I’m not a gourami keeper. I though we were looking at the indentation right behind the mouth. But no I looked them up and that’s normal!! So yes there’s nothing wrong with that fish. Just something wrong with me . But you can still get rid of the carbon.

Oh, I was wondering specifically about the indentation...is that normal?

 

Oh, I was wondering specifically about the indentation...is that normal?

Yes, it's normal. That indentation is there so the lip can fold in and out when the fish opens it's mouth.

Now if your fish always has it's mouth a little open like that...he may just be an odd fish...or he possibly has an infection. I'd keep an eye on him. If he seems otherwise healthy, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

Yes, it's normal. That indentation is there so the lip can fold in and out when the fish opens it's mouth.

Phew! Thank you! I was trying to find this information, but couldn’t elsewhere because it was a rather specific question haha. Hopefully someone else can use this information.

I guess I was just thrown off because the indent seemed to be deeper than it used to be. It’s sort of always like that no matter whether he sticks his lips out or not. I’m silly.

Better pic and I believe it’s hole in the head (hith). Remove the charcoal and for a few weeks change the water 2x a week. It could have started when you went without water changing and than just got worse because of the carbon. Change out the carbon for another media. Matrix,ceramic rings or anything similar. The fish should heal. Or at least not get worse.

Thanks for the info, even though hith wasn’t the problem! I’ll keep this in mind if I ever have a fish with hith.

But you can still get rid of the carbon.

I’m probably gonna do that now anyway thanks

 

The only fish i ever has with 'hole in the head' was a discus. He seemed unaffected by it. I fed him live tubifex worms but i think the issue was caused by carbon in the filter. It's great for occasional use especially to remove chemicals in the water but is not suitable for long term use. There was an old article by a college or zoo i think that found it caused issues like hole in the head, wish i could find it.