Have My Fish Got Hole In Head An Is It Contagious?

[kel8el]

i have 2 dwarf gouramis and i think they have both got hole in head but they both seem happy an are both still eating an swimming around fine so im not really sure wot to do and im slightly worried about my other fish catching it, i have thought about moving them to another tank but i dont want to cause them stress. iv tested all water levels an everythin seems fine, iv done water changes an syphoned the gravel regular. they also have a diet of flakes, shrimp, algae wafers and blood worm 1s a wk and occasionally peas an cucumber for my pleco but they all eat them lol. not sure wot to do pls help im pretty new at all this and would really appresiate any advice. ;-p

 

[BigIan]

can you get us a picture? and give us an accurate description of the "wound"?

 

[Athena]

Dwarf Gourami's are prone to ulcers or raised red lumps, especially around the mouth/gill area - so it may not be hole in the head. Pics will help or a more detailed description.

Athena

 

[Colin_T]

cichlids get hole in the head, gouramis don't. As the others have said, a pic or some sort of description to the illness would be useful.

 

[kel8el]

http/www.flickr.com/photos/11426885@N08/...57607074996394/
im not sure how to get pics on but this should work. i have done a google search an have read that gouramis can get it. they have large holes just above there eyes they are quite large and mostly white and some red. the blue dwarf has one either side of his head.

 

[Colin_T]

It looks like ulcers. These are common in dwarf gouramis and are usually caused by aeromonas bacteria. Tetracycline based antibiotics might help but often the fish is destined to die. You will probably need to see a vet to get tetracyline.
Dwarf gouramis carry a virus that knocks them about and weakens their immune system making them more susceptible to ulcers and other diseases. Feeding them a varied diet and adding some vitamin/ mineral supplements to their diet can help sometimes. Vitamin C and Betacarotene can be added directly to frozen food and fed to the fishes.

 

[rabbut]

I'd agree with Colin_T about it being Ulcers I have used Waterlife Myxazin against them on a few occasions at work and once at home, and it seems to work well. Ulcers are contagious, though not greatly, so you will want to treat the whole tank Interpet number 9 (double check, might not be that number) Anti-internal Bacteria may also be worth a go, but I have never tried it for this problem. An Ulcer infection won't spread unless it is left un-checked for a long while, or if waterchanges are neglected.

You said water stats were OK, but peoples ideas of OK differ, so can you please post numerical results? Also, what kit are you using?

HTH
Rabbut