neon tetra

[manddave]

hello,

This morning i went to do a water change and noticed one stray neon away from the shaol. When i looked closer i could see that he was very pail and had a GAPING HOLE IN HIS HEAD . At first this was only in one side of his head (his whole side of his face was gone.) The fish died in the space of about 20 minutes and when i pulled him out i inspected the fish and now the hole was right through his head to the other side When i first got the tetras one died (also with the same thing) within a couple of days of being in the fish tank. Does anyone know what this could be and how (if possible) i can fix it? I certainly don't want it to happen to anymore neons.


The tank has been set up for about 3 months now.

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 20
pH = 7-7.2

Thanks for any advice.

 

[aquarius]

sounds something like this

Hole In The Head (HITH): This is a common disease among larger Cichlids such as Severums and especially...Oscars. It appears as small holes on the face and around the eyes, that may have a white material growing inside them.

Symptoms It appears as small holes on the face and around the eyes, that may have a white material growing inside them. Loss of appetite and whitish feces are another indication that may appear before the development of the holes.

Treatmeant A range of medication including Aquarium Pharmaceuticals-General Cure, Aquatronics- Hex-a-Mit, Aquatronics- Hex-A-Vital (especially for Discus, Angelfish and Oscars)

 

[manddave]

thanks for the advice i will go and get some of the medication you recommended.


I was wondering if HITH desease is contagious to the other fish? I was also under the impression that HITH desease was only found in cichlids or some others.


thanks again for your advice

 

[Lateral Line]

Hole in the head "disease" is caused by the naturally occurring bacteria/flagelates, (including hexamita), etc., which live, (in small numbers), in the sensory pits multiplying out of control. This happens when the fishes immune system is compromised and is almost always attributable to something in their environment, stress, water conditions etc.

It affects cihlids and gouramies, I've never heard of it in Characins before. It is not a sudden killer, it usually takes weeks to kill, and is fairly obvious. If the fish was not in trouble yesterday, and has a gaping hole in it today - disease is the last thing I'd be thinking, I'd be looking for enemy action. What else have you got in there?

I would most definitely not dose up a tank with medications before I was sure it was necessary.

 

[gourami guy]

THAT IS TERRIBLE!
I'm Extremely sorry for you and the fish, but I don't know the answer
Sorry
nathan

 

[manddave]

i have a few discus in there with them but i am sure that this was not caused by the discus attacking them. It doesnt look like a bite (its almost a clean hole through its head.) I watched the fish until it died and when i pulled it out the hole was larger. (almost the only part of the head left was the nose.)

None of the others are acting strangely.

 

[Lateral Line]

Small fish are a part of the natural diet of Discus...