Help My Choco Oranda Has Hole in the head I have a pic what do i do i can literally see its bare its really red and it is a big huge hole I am literally shocked that my oranda is swimming like nothing eatting norm it is getting worse I'm going and i am grossed out by the sight of it
here is a pic you can see how bad it is the pic is blurry kinda but i'm telling ya it is really deep and just getting worse



* Test Results for the Following:
Ammonia Level?0
Nitrite Level?0
Nitrate level?0
Ph Level, (If possible,KH and GH and chloramines)?7.8
Ph Level out of the Tap?7.8
* Tank size (How many Gals) and How long has it been running? 30
* What is the name and size of the filter/s? aqua clear 70
* How often do you change the water and how much? every other week

# How many fish in the tank and their size? 2
# What kind of water additives or conditioners? Prime
# Any medications added to the tank? none
# Add any new fish to the tank? no
# What do you feed your fish? hikari
# Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt",
bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? big hole in head that is red and almost down to brain
# Any unusual behavior like staying
at the bottom, not eating, ect..? no

Oh no, this isn't good unfortunately HITH or Hexamita is basically an internal protozoan that gets into the intestinal tract/gut and will cause ulceration. The most successful (or possibly the only) treatment against hole in the head is metronidazole - which is in metromeds ... unfortunately I don't know at what strength but it's stated on goldfishconnection that it works well against HITH. The head sore needs maracyn but unfortunately it won't do any good until the protozoan is destroyed first.

I can only suggest 2 courses of action:

1) try to get your hands on some metromeds and start feeding immediately. Then, at the same time, dose the water with maracyn two - to help resolve the head sores (which is secondary to the disease)

OR

2) See if you can get some 200mg metronidazle tablets (also known as flagyl for humans) and make up a strong feed of medicated gel food while at the same time, dissolving 100mg per gallon of water - so for a 10 gallon tank - you'd need 5 x 200mg tablets.

I'm able to get metronidazole from my vet so am hoping you know of a vet that can help you here?

This isn't good Jillian and I'm so sorry this has happened Hopefully you'll be able to go with either step 1 or 2..

Hi Jillian,sorry to hear about your Choco being sick. What's up with the params?You haven't tested them? That is clearly an important factor when treating for this disese.Params must be absolutely perfect.If at all possible,can you order Metro-Med from the Goldfish Connection?That has a good reputation for ridding Goldies of this. Do you happen to have Medi-Gold for now at least?I would start that asap.
You can also Clean the wen with hydrogen peroxide on a Q-tip (just once)
Do you have any Vets around that deal with fish? This is a disease tht can kill rather quickly,and his hole is pretty deep.I was thinking here of Baytril Shots for him.

Sorry Jen,we both posted at same time.Metronidazole can actually be bought here in the states as I have a bottle of it myself.
Sorry I wasn't able to respond quicker Jillian when you emailed.Although I was on Kokos,the server wasn't allowing me to post.

I had a hard time trying to respond to pm and this thread - it kept booting me off as well

Excellent pick up on the water quality Sharon - this really is so incredibly important.

I would concentrate on the water quality first.

You need to get your water tested and up your changes to each day for a while to get the bacteria levels under control.

Theres two causes to HITH and the main one is poor diet/poor water and not always an internal protozoan.

The picture really isnt that clear but it looks more like an ulcer than HITH. Take a good close look at the head and side of the fish. You should be able to see the pores in the skin and if they look larger or pitted then its HITH.

Thanks for responding the system was doing the same to me I always test my water and my water when I said every other week for water changes is almost full tank clean out as for his diet it consist of hikari ,frozen BS peas and so fourth it is pitted i can see the pores of his skin and redness surrounds it I actually found a fish vet So I am going to try and go for baytril shot for him will do full water changes each day

Good luck to you both, I hope he responds to the treatment.

Hi Jillian, if it is hexamita and it sounds as though it may be - baytril will help with the external bacterial infection ie. the wen but your fish will need the appropriate meds to resolve the protozoa. If he can do a scrape, hexamita will be seen in scrapings from the ulcer and intestinal contents.

If he finds the parasite, this is where metronidazole will help so maybe he can sell you a few tablets so you can make some food? It'll be quicker and the meds will get to where they need to be, in the gut.

Good luck, my fingers will be crossed for you

OMG, I think I would just freak out if one of my goldies gets a hole in their head. I wish you and your goldie the best of luck I hope he will make it.

Hi Jillian,any news on your fish?I hope that you've made it to the vets,and that something looks promising for him. Fingers are crossed here.