Hole In the Head Disease

This diseases is also known as Freshwater Head Lateral Line Erosion (FHLLE) and is a common freshwater fish disease. It mostly effects cichlids, discus and Oscars. The disease is thought to be caused by the parasite Hexamita, that eventually causes holes to appear in the head along the lateral line. The parasite is found in the intestines of young cichlids and gouramis. This parasite infects the intestinal track; gall bladder; abdominal cavity, spleen and kidneys. It becomes noticeable to the aquaria keeper when small lesions appear on the fishes head. The lesions often discharge white threads of parasitic larvae and often become infected with other bacterial or fungus infections that can lead to further illnesses and often death.

    Another theory suggests hole in the head disease is caused by a mineral / vitamin imbalance or at least is a major contribution. Other theories are a combination of poor water quality, poor nutrition and overcrowding, in fact anything that causes the fish stress. As with most fish diseases, the condition is more likely to be seen when fish become stressed overtime as their immune system becomes weaker and is unable to fight off infections.

Treatments For Hole In The Head Disease

Unfortunate the treatment is not an exact science either because there can be multiple causes of the disease. The approach should be to remove the Hexamita from the infected fish and improve both water quality and nutrition. Any fish effected with Hole In the Head Disease should be transported to a hospital tank and treated with the antibiotic metronidazole. When trying to improve nutrition target the species of fish with either vegetarian foods like seaweed sticks or steamed broccoli or for carnivores fresh of frozen meaty foods.

Prevention of Hole In The Head Disease

The best way to prevent this or other diseases in to reduce the risk of stress by ensuring that the aeration, filtration all are working well and avoid overcrowding or mixing your aquarium with unsuitable fish. Regular water quality checks and partial water changes are also recommended. It is generally accepted that the best approach to ensure that your fish receive enough nutrition is by feeding them flake foods that are rich in vitamins with some greens (fresh or frozen) and meaty foods for your carnivorous fish. Your local fish dealer can supply food additives that coat food to add extra vitamins to their food. Other possible prevention to Hole In The Head Disease include the removal of activated carbon filtration and feeding fish chopped garlic.

Marine Fish - Hole In The Head Disease

Marine fish also suffer from this disease it is also known as Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE). It is commonly found in the tangs of angle fish. It is believed to be caused by a vitamin A and C deficiency.