Thread: Any Fish Doctors Out There?

I have a flower horn fish, or as they are known in Thai....Plah Maw See. Lately it has developed some sort of blisters on it's forehead and now sits in the water with that part of it's head exposed. Any idea of the cause or cure for this?

^I've got one of those. (The fish, not the blisters). The guy who gave it to my wife a couple of weeks ago knows quite a bit about these fish. I'll see if I can track him down and ask.

Thanks Davis. I've had this one for three years already and don't want to lose it. It's great viewing to feed it live geckos.

I used to keep fish, and that looks like ich, i forget the full name. The fish shop not only gave me medicine but told me to raise the temperature of the water until it was gone. Supposedly raising the water temperature was very important to kill the parasite. Sorry cannot be more specific, that was a long time ago.

^^Google Flower Horn Fish Care. I think it may have "hole in the head" disease caused by parasites. I don't think it is ick, BobR, as that is usually represented by white spots and spreads all over the body. Checking with the fish guy right now. Hold one.

Can we prevent the fish from getting sick?
Ensure that there is periodic water change. Besides, water quality and temperature has to remain stable. In addition, if you are feeding live feed, it has to be disinfected first.

How do I disinfect the live feed?
Have a small tank that is treated with anti bacterial solution. Place the live feed into the tank a few hours before feeding.

^^ is the faeces white and stringy? Hole in the head disease maybe (not kidding on the name).

Pickel: Just got off the phone with the fish guy. He has had several of these fish for seven years. He said there is nothing to worry about. It is called a flower/horn fish. The "flower" is the marking on the side, and the "horn" is what you are seeing developing on the head which looks like blisters. He said that it will get larger and more hornlike as the fish gets older. I asked about the fact that he keeps that part above the waterline. He said no sweat, that's what they do. So, that's the word from the fish guy. I trust this guy, but you might want to get a second opinion from a fish shop so I don't get blamed if he croaks. P.S. You just cost me $70, as the wife took the opportunity of having the guy on the phone to order another one of these, and is now making moaning noises about the need for another, larger, aquarium.

Google is your friend....

Flowerhorn Diseases And How To Cure Them

This juicy little comment:

In the future if you are desperate try garlic juice. Parasites (internal or external) and fungus have very little tolerance for it. My black moor had a white fungus on his side. One drop of kent garlic extreme per ten gallons and in 2 days it gone. My buddy had same experience with internal and external parasites and the garlic cured it. For internal it is better to soak food and get fish to eat it

Them fish do my head in I bought 10 Arowanna I got one left, I bought some more and put in a separate tank with only Arowanna they even eat each other FFS

I want to get one of these

YES it has a whole in its head and will sink and die if he or it does not remain at top. Get some super glue and remove fish. Tap just a bit on its head, just a moment out to dry. Done hole is fixed.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

^^Google Flower Horn Fish Care. I think it may have "hole in the head" disease caused by parasites. I don't think it is ick, BobR, as that is usually represented by white spots and spreads all over the body. Checking with the fish guy right now. Hold one.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Just got off the phone with the fish guy. He has had several of these fish for seven years. He said there is nothing to worry about. It is called a flower/horn fish. The "flower" is the marking on the side, and the "horn" is what you are seeing developing on the head which looks like blisters. He said that it will get larger and more hornlike as the fish gets older. I asked about the fact that he keeps that part above the waterline. He said no sweat, that's what they do. So, that's the word from the fish guy. I trust this guy, but you might want to get a second opinion from a fish shop so I don't get blamed if he croaks. P.S. You just cost me $70, as the wife took the opportunity of having the guy on the phone to order another one of these, and is now making moaning noises about the need for another, larger, aquarium.

I was thinking that might be a possibility, but the blisters look like they are oozing liquid. Also, it has lost a lot of its appetite, though its shit appears normal.
Thanks for the help and sorry about the extra costs, hehe.

^I'll give my guy another call manana and ask about oozing and appetite loss.

Hole in the head but shit stringy not normal.

^^Talked to my fish guy again. He doesn't know, but recommended taking your fish to a fish store and letting them have a look. I also lose interest in food and ooze a bit when I am developing a horn, so it might just be normal. How big is yours? (Oh shit, I hope that doesn't attract Socal or Butters!)

Originally Posted by pickel

I have a flower horn fish, or as they are known in Thai....Plah Maw See. Lately it has developed some sort of blisters on it's forehead and now sits in the water with that part of it's head exposed. Any idea of the cause or cure for this?

Hi Pickel,
That looks very nasty. I would probably try some antibiotics atleast. My goldfish had some red legions on them and were totally cured with a teaspoon of antibiotics from the local fish shop. Just take your picture to fish shops at Chatuchak as they have seen every disease known to fish....

If it is only parasites then you could try putting the fish in an hour salt bath. For an hour the salt for the fish is good and helps cleans the gills and increases the slimly layer on the outside of the fish. The parasites just hate the rapid rise in salinity.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

(Oh shit, I hope that doesn't attract Socal or Butters!)

Don't worry, you need to put a tight fitting skirt over your wedding tackle and wear some tacky lipstick to attract Butters.

I'm thinking that it is hole in the head disease, which is caused by parasites. I don't have the availability of a fish shop near me, so I have to do it myself with your guys help.
I found this on the net and tried it last night:

Hole-In-The-Head Disease

Cause and Symptoms

* The cause of this condition is Hexamita Protozoa , parasitic organisms that are highly contagious.
* These parasites thrive with poor water quality management.
* If your fish has this condition, you will notice the appearance of small pits and pimples mainly on the fish’s head. These pits will simply grow and form bigger pits.
* The pits are white in color, and sometimes mucous are visible around them.
* In addition to losing weight, becoming lethargic, and losing their appetites, the fish will produce white, stringy feces.

Treatment

* Add Dimetrydazole (5mg/l) or Metronidazole (7mg/l).
* Repeat treatment once every 3 days.
* Do a 20%-30% water change.
* It is sometimes necessary to inject Metronidazole, but injections near the affected area should be attempt only by qualified personnel.

I went to the pharmacy and got the pills and crushed them up and added them to the tank. We'll see how it goes.
I would like to give it a salt bath in a large bucket. How much salt would I have to add per liter of water? And for how long would I do it?
Thanks for all your help Guys.

Also, it is about 11.5 inches in length. (my fish that is)

^Hope he gets better. I can't offer much more advice - especially since it looks like my "expert" may have been wrong. Google has a lot on cures. Best of luck.

I've got something like that on my bottom lip at the moment. I hope it isn't catching.

Originally Posted by pickel

I would like to give it a salt bath in a large bucket. How much salt would I have to add per liter of water? And for how long would I do it?
Thanks for all your help Guys.

Hi Pickle, For the salt dosage google is your friend. Here is one site which looks to have what you want - what is the dosage for salt bath?!!!!!!! [Archive] - Arofanatics Fish Talk Forums. The information is probably conservative as it relates to Chiclid's which are notoriously fragile fish. Just go through a few sites and work out what is best for your fish.