Hole in the head.....

[Neil Groves]

I have an apistogramma with hole in the head disease for which he is being treated, he seems to be doing ok now and is eating very well, my question is since I suspect he will always have a scar on his head, how will I know when to stop treatment?.....how will I know when he is actually cured and it is just the scar that is showing?

Neil.

 

[gerald]

You'll need to rely on behavior ... when he seems to be eating well and acting normally, he shouldn't need further treatment. His immune system will hopefully finish the recovery work. Without lab diagnostic equipment, you can't even tell what the cause is. Hole-in-head is a symptom with many possible causes: diet deficiency, water quality, protozoa (Hexamita and others), bacteria (Mycobacterium and other), viruses, etc.

 

[Neil Groves]

He was eating when I discovered his illness, he has never stopped, I'll treat him for 7-10 days and see how he is

 

[Ian Logan]

Neil - what have you treated this with?

 

[Neil Groves]

He has since left this mortal coil I'm afraid.

 

[Ian Logan]

Without lab diagnostic equipment, you can't even tell what the cause is. Hole-in-head is a symptom with many possible causes: diet deficiency, water quality, protozoa (Hexamita and others), bacteria (Mycobacterium and other), viruses, etc.[/QUOTE]

Gerald

Given thats its a sympton of multiple origin how would you suggest to treat this if we come acroos this in eg a quarantine period?

Ian

 

[gerald]

Good question. Wish I had a good answer, but I don't, other than keep any new fish with apparent sores or swellings away from your existing fish. The new guy might have some "bug" that's already in your tank that your current fish have adapted to live with, and mixing them won't matter much, or it might have some new "bug" that your current fish have never been exposed to. Even perfectly healthy-looking fish that have been in quarantine for months might be carrying some pathogenic microbes that could sicken "immunologically-naive" fish. That's just the reality of acquiring new fish. Apistos and other soft-water dwarf cichlids unfortunately seem much more prone to NOT recovering once they become sick, compared with many other fish.

 

[Mike Wise]

I agree with gerald. I find the best remedy for hole in the head is to allow the fish's immune system to work its magic. That mean ideal water quality, proper water values, low stress, and the best nutrition (mostly live foods) - and pray.

 

[Neil Groves]

Pray?......I got no time for religious bullshit, i'm agnostic lol

 

[Ian Logan]

I agree with gerald. I find the best remedy for hole in the head is to allow the fish's immune system to work its magic. That mean ideal water quality, proper water values, low stress, and the best nutrition (mostly live foods) - and pray.

I like that principle.I think there is a lot to be said for "Masterly Inaction" if i think back to when i worked in the industry and imported regularly our success rate when we isolated fish that looked off for was very low

Regards

Ian