Disease identification

[BriTheFishGuy]

Hello African Cichlid friends,

I recently noticed a small hole on the side of one of my guys 3 days ago. Since than it has developed bigger with a white splinter coming out. Any ideas of what this could be? Cure? Contagious? Thanks!

 

[HoldenOn]

Think that's hole in the head disease. Not sure how to treat, but pretty common if you have poor water quality, do you know your parameters?
@Metalhead88 @Wills

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Was the "splinter" there all along? Or did it just appear?

 

[BriTheFishGuy]

Was the "splinter" there all along? Or did it just appear?

Splinter started off as a small white dot that protruded out as seen.

 

[BriTheFishGuy]

Think that's hole in the head disease. Not sure how to treat, but pretty common if you have poor water quality, do you know your parameters?
@Metalhead88 @Wills

Dang that’s a bummer, I just treated these guys for HIH.Hopefully the water parameters Shed more light on the issue.

PH 8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10

 

[HoldenOn]

Dang that’s a bummer, I just treated these guys for HIH.Hopefully the water parameters Shed more light on the issue.

PH 8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10

Seems fine to me. Interesting. There are some more knowledgable cichlid keepers around here that will reply soon.

 

[Colin_T]

It's not hole in the head disease.

It looks like the start of an ulcer. You can try salt for 2 weeks (2 heaped tablespoons per 20 litres). If there's no improvement after a week of salt, look for medicated food that treats goldfish ulcer disease.

 

[Cichlidmum]

Def not hole in the head. Has he brushed against sharp rock or been fighting maybe? Does the white bit move? Sorry can't help.

 

[BriTheFishGuy]

Hey all, just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I ended up taking Colin_t’s advice, doused the tank with salt for about a week and we definitely see improvement. The white splinter is gone and the hole as began to close. Y’all some fishy hero’s! Thanks!