How does your oscar get hole in the head disease?

Answer 1

Hole in the Head Disease (HITH) is caused primarily by Heximitia, a protozoan parasite. Hex is a fairly weak parasite all in all and it doesn't do well at tropical temperatures in general, but can and does attack tropical fish.

Add to the above that often a fish needs to be weakened somewhat for the Hex to cause this particular symptom and you can see that poor water quality adds tot he chances of a fish getting HITH significantly.

You can treat HITH with any of several different medications, just be sure your choice treats protozoan parasites and should mention Heximitia specifically. I would recommend that you treat for an extended period as well. 3 weeks would be a good idea.

In addition to the medication, you need to take a close look at your water quality and your maintanace schedule. Odds are very good you could stand to improve the water quality in the tank and odds are also high the fish could use a better diet. Investigate adding frozen or live foods to your fishes diet in addition to a good quality pelleted food.

All of these things working together will treat HITH and prevent it's return.

MM

Answer 2

Hole in the head disease is caused by Heximitia a parasite and needs to be addressed in 3 ways.

1 - Medication. I have not had Hole in the head disease in almost 20 years and back then they didn't think it was a disease or protezoa and said it was not curable. Times have changed and hopefully someone will recommend a specific medication to help you in that matter.

2 - Diet. You need to feed your Oscar's with a better diet. Many vitamins are lost during the drying process of mass produced foods. These essential vitamins are necessary for your fish. They make water soluble vitamins you can add to your dry pellets prior to feeding. This helps tremendously. You should also include other frozen and fresh foods for your fish. The local seafood department at the grocery stord sells shrimp, fish, mussels, crab, etc. For freshwater fish I always feed a saltwater fish and visa versa. Make sure you get a non-oily fish species. If you don't use pesticides then your yard has worms, crickets, grasshoppers, etc. You can go to a bait shop and purchase wax worms, red worms, earthworms, etc. Some people are concerned about buying these at a bait shop though I've never had a problem. Zuchini (cut through the skin lengthwise because the skin is strong), peas, etc.

3 - Water quality. Increase your water changes.

With a good diet and water changes I haven't gotten hole-in-the-head disease in about 20 years. Get a water soluable vitamin, quality food, increase water changes and after treating this disease you should be fine.

Answer 3

check your water. Bad water can lead to alot of dieases. Also make sure that you did bring in the diease if or when you brought in a new fish.