12 replies to this topic

[emmz-cichlids]

Hey guys I have a pearl horseface cichlid with hole in the head or hexamita, I've talked to the only fish vet in Perth and the whole process just to get test to prove that it is this disease is very difficult as I have to work with my vet whom know nothing about fish and then they will work with the fish vet to diagnosis and treatment my fish.... So this is atleast a few hundred dollars worth.... Does anyone know another way, I got told my water wasn't hard enough so I fixed that and now one whole has gone into a couple tiny holes on the other side. Does anyone know of something that actually works not prolongs the symptoms. Also are my other fish now in danger as I've noticed similar very tiny markings on my green terror and featherfin catfish. Thanks a lot guys, any help is appreciated

[MrLeifBeaver]

Hi Emmz,

 

Can you fill out as much of this as possible, then the guys can work out more (I am not sure).

Also there is a whole section to sick fish. So someone will probably move this topic there.

Type of fish:
Symptoms:
Other tank mates:
Tank size / capacity:
Type of Food fed:
Feeding frequency/amount:
Substrate:
Type of filtration:
Frequency of filter cleans: 
Frequency and % volume of water changes:
Last water change:
PH:
KH:
GH:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
Ammonia:
Phosphate:
Water temp:
Medications used recently to date:
Any recent changes?:

[malawiman85]

PM sent.

[emmz-cichlids]

Ok I can answer some of the questions right now apart from the water conditions
Type of fish is pearl horseface that was the first affected
Symptoms started with one small hole the size of a match stick head below eye now on the other side he has small indented lines with one tiny hole.
Other tank mates are a huge variety of Africans, catfish and two other Americans, one being a green terror and Jack Dempsey
Tank size is 8x2x2
Type of food fed is nls Thera + A, fluval vegetable flakes, fresh zucchini and shelled peas.
Fed twice a day
Substrate is natural gravel.
Type of filtration is 2x Nautilus 2700 with a 1200 powerhead and sponge.
Filters cleaned once a month.
Water changed once a week 50-70%.
Last water change a week ago and currently doing another now.
Water temp is 24-25°
I don't have the stuff to test for all those specific water, my ph sits on 8 and I'm currently trying to raise my KH and gh
But I will take my water in and get it tested for everything

[dicky7]

just noticed you clean your Canister filters monthly, That is too often you need to cut down on frequency  also only do 1 filter at a time  just something I noticed immediately

[emmz-cichlids]

Well its actually been a month since cleaned last and I still have strong flow so I just go with when they slow down not an actual time frame

[MrLeifBeaver]

Yeah do your filters bi-monthly or bi-3monthly, basically one is always well cycled while the other recovers.

Is 24-25c a little too cold for a Horse Face?

 

From the sounds of what you have written, Hole-in-head Disease?

[emmz-cichlids]

I keep my temps lower as they all get too grumpy otherwise, and having Africans in there as well its a happy medium that seems to be fine for them. And yes it is hole in the head, I've finally got medication for it that was very hard to get as it is prescription medication as well as what aquotix has so either way I'm so happy that my fish isn't going to die, I've had him since a baby for over 3yrs now

[Link2Hell]

have a read of this article on ACE forums it explains Hexamita and treatments

 

http://www.aceforums...showtopic=52488

[mad_4_troph]

Yeh metro and Epsom seems to be the treatment of choice. My local vet did a similar thing for me when my tropheus were suffering bloat, also treated with metro, my vet was rather unimpressed with their attitude but got me what I needed with no consult fee!

[emmz-cichlids]

Well the treatment is over, only thing that's changed so far is my pearl horseface doesn't hide as much now but now that treatment is over I've now discovered a few fish with white spot... Yay lol I'm guessing stress must of brought this on but any how the 5 that are affected are in a hospital tank being treated, luckily I noticed it whilst it's at a very mild stage. Haven't had white spot in over 2yrs though, just another little hurdle I guess

[malawiman85]

Are you treating your whole display tank for white spot as well as the quarantine tank?

[emmz-cichlids]

Yep have to cuz I know it lives in the gravel, I have been keeping a close eye on all my scale less catfish as I no you have to lower the dosage for them, last time I had white spot I only had one scale less catfish now I have heaps