White bumps on angelfish head and mouth

[WhistlingBadger]

Anybody know what this is? Fish is four years old and has always been healthy as a horse. Seems to be swimming a little awkwardly. Three more of these bumps on the other side, all in the eye/mouth area.

 

[FranciscoB]

My guess is HITH, and secondary infections. Relatively early so it should be curable/reversible. I could be wrong, so hopefully others will chime in.

 

[MaloK]

Yes, I agree it is very similar to early symptoms.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

How does one treat this? Do I need to get this fish away from the others? @Colin_T

 

[WhistlingBadger]

For background: This fish is in a South American community tank with several other angelfish, three kinds of tetras, whiptail catfish, cories, and snails. I'm wondering if I should just euthanize the fish to keep this from spreading...

 

[MaloK]

If you want to try to treat him, Habitually medication containing Metronidazole is used.

DiscusX HexaX
Fritz MetroCleanse
Seachem Metroplex

 

[Back in the fold]

@Colin_T

 

[FranciscoB]

In my experience, this is not particularly contagious, so personally I don’t think isolating the fish is strictly necessary. Also, it is early, so it does not need to be considered fatal. And also, whatever it is, it is in the tank.

The approach I would take is to treat for the infections, while at the same time address the possible root causes, which often are a combination of multiple factors. Specifically, consider water quality (regular levels of nitrate, and amount of organics); consider parameters (temp, hardness, pH); consider diet and increase variety and quality if found suspect; and then, consider any other potential sources of stress, both on the individual fish, but also generally. Identifying manners of improving things may be effective, perhaps more so than medicines.
This may or not work but it is what I would do and what I one needs to do.
Good luck!

 

[CassCats]

Cichlids are most prone to it, but it can affect any fish. It's often protozoan caused, but spreading is often slow if at all.

Metronidazole is the medication of choice to treat hexamita (hole in the head).

My elderly Bolivian ram was affected last year by it, he looked awful. Several rounds of metronidazole and good water changes and he recovered.

And after metronidazole (I got my hands on Fritz Paracleanse, which is metronidazole x praziquantel)

There is some evidence that EPSOM salt is helpful with hexamita, if that's a route you'd want to explore.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Well, I went in after school today, and the fish was dead. So, I guess I am relieved of the question of how to treat him...

 

[CassCats]

You may wanna monitor others. Generally protozoan infections are an "every fish" sort of deal, though some may not show symptoms, some may down the line. Can't hurt to watch. Look for red bumps along the lateral line as well

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Yeah, I'll keep eyes peeled for sure. Thanks for the help, everybody.