Cure for holes in head?

I just found this sight so I apologize if this has been addressed
before. I just had my Oscar pass away. I'd had him for some time. He had
gotten very large and was like a friend. But anyway he kept getting
these holes occasionally developing in his head. He acted as though they
didn't bother him but he looked awful. The Oscar I had before him got
the same as he got bigger.I would notice a little red spot and and once
it made a hole like a crater then it would stop and not be red anymore.
But of course it wouldn't grow back. Is there anything that will prevent
this from happening? Thanks in advance.

below is a great post by Mark A. Stone.
remember to search google before asking
and HITH = Hole in the Head

Bob
_________________

HITH is, as you noticed, a disease that most experts seem dumbfounded
about. There is very little correlation or agreement on HITH's cause and
cure. However, there are certain things that are almost always common in
an aquarium with a HITH outbreak, and people that treat those particular
things generally (with some exceptions) see their fish recover. These
things a

--Lack of a varied diet, and a lack of plant materials and vitamin C in
the diet.

--The Hexamita protozoan. This is the biggest point at which the experts
disagree: Is Hexamita (which is ALWAYS in the lesions) the cause of HITH,
or is it infecting the lesions AFTER the disease strikes? The medication
you are using should be OK.

--Activated Carbon in the filter.

--An excess of Nitrate, the final product of the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate
process. Frequent water changes and live plants can keep nitrate in check.

--Poor water conditions and high stress. Is the aquarium next to a loud
stereo or slamming doors? Are there smokers in your home?

If you concentrate on the above points, not forgetting to remove the
activated carbon from your filter, you may see some improvement. Visit
the OSCAR Study Page (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9202) for
a more detailed discussion. And, good luck!

--Mark

--
The OSCAR Study Page is at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9202
Mark A. Stone
The ".Edu" meens i are smart.

I may be off on this but this is listed as one indication of parasites. Is
that possible?

Jonathan

"Beatles and Stones forever" wrote in message
...
I just found this sight so I apologize if this has been addressed
before. I just had my Oscar pass away. I'd had him for some time. He had
gotten very large and was like a friend. But anyway he kept getting
these holes occasionally developing in his head. He acted as though they
didn't bother him but he looked awful. The Oscar I had before him got
the same as he got bigger.I would notice a little red spot and and once
it made a hole like a crater then it would stop and not be red anymore.
But of course it wouldn't grow back. Is there anything that will prevent
this from happening? Thanks in advance.

"Bob" wrote in message ...
below is a great post by Mark A. Stone.
remember to search google before asking
and HITH = Hole in the Head

Bob
_________________

HITH is, as you noticed, a disease that most experts seem dumbfounded
about. There is very little correlation or agreement on HITH's cause and
cure. However, there are certain things that are almost always common in
an aquarium with a HITH outbreak, and people that treat those particular
things generally (with some exceptions) see their fish recover. These
things a

--Lack of a varied diet, and a lack of plant materials and vitamin C in
the diet.

--The Hexamita protozoan. This is the biggest point at which the experts
disagree: Is Hexamita (which is ALWAYS in the lesions) the cause of HITH,
or is it infecting the lesions AFTER the disease strikes? The medication
you are using should be OK.

--Activated Carbon in the filter.

--An excess of Nitrate, the final product of the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate
process. Frequent water changes and live plants can keep nitrate in check.

--Poor water conditions and high stress. Is the aquarium next to a loud
stereo or slamming doors? Are there smokers in your home?

If you concentrate on the above points, not forgetting to remove the
activated carbon from your filter, you may see some improvement. Visit
the OSCAR Study Page (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9202) for
a more detailed discussion. And, good luck!

--Mark


After I posted the above notes, an Oscar in one of my aquariums
contracted HITH. The cure for the disease was very easy, and is
detailed at http://www.geocities.com/cichlidiot_2000/disease.html --
click on the Hole In The Head link to read the method I used. The
biggest question in regards HITH is still whether the protozoan
Hexamita is the cause of the disease or not. However, if you
concentrate on treatments directed towards the Hex, the disease is
almost always vanquished. I treated with an anti-protozoan med
(Clout)and the HITH was gone in a few short days. I think (but have no
proof, only the thought) that HITH is started by something else, but
then "maintained" by Hexamita when it has invaded the lesions. Just an
idea.

--Mark