Hole in the head?

[brianb4536]

I have a baby oscar in a 30 gallon aquarium (i plan on upgrading). He has a white mark on his side that i believe is hole in the head. Ive had him for a while and i think he has had it for a few weeks. I got him some medication and started giving it to him today. How long do fish with this disease typically last if it isnt cured?

[brianb4536]

I dont know wat to do....please help!!!

[Red]

You need to change your water and get a new tank. That is going to clear it, and thats what causes it.

[brianb4536]

but how long will he live if he does not get cured?

[Red]

Depends on how bad it is, do you have a picture?

[brianb4536]

No, but it is a big white indent on his side near his eye the oscar is about 3 inches and the hole probably about a quarter of an inch across

[chronic]

How old is your oscar? They grow an inch a month their first year of life... 30g must go quick! He is the only one in there right??

What are your water parameters?

How often do you water change?

What do you feed him?

What kind of filtration do you have?

[brianb4536]

He is about 3 months im guessing
I have perfect water 0 nitrite 20 nitrate 7 ph
Tetra cichlid sticks and freeze dried brine shrimp is wat i feed him
I have an aqueon power filter
Once a week i do about 50% of the water for water change

[chronic]

What size is that filter though, how many gph does it turn over. For hang on back style filters, you want something like a 10x water turn over rate, and about 4x for canister filters. What sort of filter media is in it? There is a rumor that activated charcol can cause hole in head. But typically its caused by poor water and diet.

How do you test your water. Test strips are incredibly inaccurate, you want to use a liquid test kit. Do you know where your ammonia is sitting?

You didn't mention if he was alone in the tank either.

It could just be a wound. In the meantime, up the water changes. You use water conditioner when you water change right?

[brianb4536]

of course i use conditioner im not stupid
and he is refusing food
he is alone
its a 30 gallon power filter
i use test strips....

[chronic]

Well hey lol, I'm just making sure.

Well, my suggestion is to get this kit
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Find out what your water parameters really are. Change the water more, and focus on trying to find a 75g tank and all that goes with it for the little guy. Because the 30 is just going to cause more health hazards the longer he's in there.

Good luck!

Edit-Oh, and if you post some pics. That will help people give you more ideas too, it could just be awound.

[Ocellatus]

Never heard of HITH on a 3" oscar. I don't think its the case.
post some pictures if its possible.

[Northernguy]

Never heard of HITH on a 3" oscar. I don't think its the case.
post some pictures if its possible.

Welcome to the Fabulous AC!
Either have I!
Are you sure its not from bumping into something and the scales were removed.
Also the test strips are not accurate at all.
I would be doing daily water changes until you find out what you fish has.
Try and post a few pics too.
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