umm Help*, my fish got like a lump

**shotdead42** · 01-02-2009, 01:28 AM

Hey i got a few photos, This fish seems to be acting normal, liek no abnormal behavior.

But she has like a sorta bulge on the side of her face/mouth. i'm not sure what it is.

Also my other fishes are perfectly fine, but if notice her nose in front, its red and the gills are little bit red.
Here are sum photos
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/1626/dsc0445nx1.jpg

But what i'm not sure about is how come thats the only fish with redish gills(maybe inflamed)...and no other fish has that.

Thanks,

**billy2guns** · 01-02-2009, 10:26 PM

Im no expert so correct me if i'm wrong, but it looks like HITH to me. One of my friends fish has it. The fish seems to be perfertly normal otherwise.

**OscarFan** · 01-02-2009, 10:35 PM

Definitely HITH. Add some melafix, increase the quality of the diet and the water quality

**billy2guns** · 01-03-2009, 12:16 AM

Oscar Fan, what would you say the main contributing factor to Hith would be?

**tropfish** · 01-03-2009, 12:42 AM

it's definately HITH. do u run carbon in ur filter? you should take it out, firstly because it really isnt all that helpful, and secondly it is shown that carbon filters out certian nutrients needed to prevent HITH. also, how often do you change your water? what are the parameters? PH, temp, etc. its better to find the cause than to add unneeded medication.

**Northernguy** · 01-03-2009, 02:05 AM

HITH is caused by bad water conditions.
The best help for your meds would be water changes.
How many fish in what size tank?
Weekly water changes should be done every week when you have fish with a large bio-load.

**tropfish** · 01-03-2009, 03:39 AM

http://www.peteducation.com/article....+2160&aid=2586

here is a link to some good info. on HITH. It does mention carbon as a thought cause along with others. bottom line, improve water quality and remove activated carbon.

Meds are a last resort as anyhting extra added to the water puts extra and unneeded stress on the fish.

and we need parameters and info on the tank so we can help.

**OscarFan** · 01-03-2009, 03:43 AM

Originally Posted by billy2guns

Oscar Fan, what would you say the main contributing factor to Hith would be?

Poor water quality or lack of nutrition. And melafix will help prevent infection becuase HITH causes open wounds and could lead to infection and also helps cure HITH.

**smaug** · 01-03-2009, 03:46 AM

Yup,like it or not sometimes ya gotta add meds.Melafix will cause no problems for sure and can do nothing but help.For sure fix the cause but dont hesitate to use a med when needed.Good call OscarFan

**tropfish** · 01-03-2009, 03:50 AM

i want to be clear to the OP by saying im not against meds, it should be a last resort, and fixing the cause is a bigger issue. MITH is not that serious if caught early and should clear up rather quickly with better water quality. in advanced cases or when bacterial infection is suspected than meds should be used.

and hey smaug! its been a while.