Questions about HITH (hole in the head)

**jarjarbinks42981** · 09-07-2009, 05:02 AM

One week ago I was at my local live fish store delivering about 50 juvenile angelfish (I'm their supplier) and noticed an oscar with a really bad case of hole in the head (HITH). It actually looked like another fish took a bite out of it. I asked the manager what happened to the little oscar and he said all he knew about it is animal control called them to get some fish out of a house that the renters had abandoned and it was the only one out of 8 oscars that was in the same tank that survived getting transported to the store (the renters also left 2 cats and 3 dogs). He also said it came in that way and had no idea what happened to it.

So long story short the manager gave me the oscar and gave me $10 store credit to get me to take the poor thing.

Now the poor guy is in my oscar tank with my other oscars and is acting just like the other ones (I just put it in with the others today). I have noticed after a week the hole in the poor guys head is getting smaller and no longer looks like another fish took a bite out of it. The hole is half the size of a dime.
I have aquarium salt in the tank (it was added according to the directions when I set the tank up and with last water change). I know that aquarium salt dose help with healing.
I have a product called "Melafix" that is supposed to treat open sores but I don't want to use it because it would require removing the carbon filter and I don't want to mess up my water quality.

My water parameters are: tank size 225US gal, PH 7.1, Ammonia 0, nitrites 0 and, nitrates 15ppm

I don't know what else to do to help this oscar. Is there anything anyone would like to share that would help the little guy get better faster?

Edit: just so everyone knows I don't know much about fish illnesses outside of what I have read on this web forum

**Crispy** · 09-07-2009, 05:14 AM

Melafix would help, but yes, you hafta remove the carbon. Just keeping the oscar in clean water will help... but melafix works good and quicker. Depending on the severity of HITH, he may never be 100%, but he can still live a long good life.

**Northernguy** · 09-07-2009, 03:14 PM

Lots of large water changes! Don't forget dechlorinator!
I hope he gave you credit for the meds too!
Its a sad thing to see a sick fish in the store but thats not your problem its the stores!I also you salt in half doses in this case.Do not add it more than once and the only way to get it out is water changes.
You really should only buy healthy fish. Good luck!

**Fishguy2727** · 09-07-2009, 08:36 PM

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/disease/HITH-HLLE.php

**jarjarbinks42981** · 09-08-2009, 04:06 AM

There is good news! The store manager called me today and told me to come in on tuesday and said since he gave me "their problem" he will give a gallon of "melafix" for the poor guy and some filters for my pumps that don't have carbon in them. So I will treat the tank with melafix.

I will keep everyone posted.

**jarjarbinks42981** · 09-09-2009, 10:59 PM

Ok I went to the LFS and talked to the manager and he gave me some melafix and told me to follow the instructions to the letter except do a water change daily instead of after week. Can I do it that way and have it still work?

**jarjarbinks42981** · 09-13-2009, 10:57 PM

After treating with melafix I have notice a huge difference in the oscars recovery. The hole in its head is much smaller now. I hope he recovers fully

**Oscar_freak12321** · 09-13-2009, 11:39 PM

Good to hear.

**Northernguy** · 09-14-2009, 12:30 AM

Thats good to hear!
Keep doing your water changes and adding your meds.
Make sure you remove the carbon if you use it.

**jarjarbinks42981** · 10-01-2009, 04:10 AM

After treatment the poor oscar has recovered fully. I hope the little guy grows up and picks a mate so I have more oscars. I just love them they are wonderful fish. They are just like puppies :-)