I have recently cleaned out my whole tank as it appears my buddy has HITH. I am so upset as I feel it is my fault for not maintaining my tank well enough. He is eating and very active so I am hoping I caught it in time. How long does it take to get rid of the spots on his head? Do you think I should get some sort of meds for Jerry?

Can you send us a photo so we can have a look. Please use photo bucket for the moment as a function on this forum doesn't seem to be working for the moment.

The key to preventing and curing hole in the head is a very good water conditions. You mustn't let the ammonia or nitrite become present in the water. Obviously this does happen on occasions but proper maintenance of a tank, not overstocking, not overfeeding being very careful with your filtration system should prevent these toxins from appearing.

I'd prefer not to medicate a tank until it's absolutely necessary. It's debatable if medications actually work as well as some people think.

Could you also post your water readings, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH?

I just put him as my profile picture. I took that pic yesterday

Yeah looks like the early stages of hole in the head. I would prefer to see a much larger photo if possible. Okay, you need to keep your water in tiptop condition if you've got any chance of stopping the progression and healing this disease. That means no ammonia are all might try present, and the nitrate levels not rising above 20 ppm. If your water conditions are not good, it's just going to keep getting worse. This disease is perfectly curable when it doesn't get too bad but not if you've got poor water conditions.

Where do I go to put pictures on here?

First of all register an account with photo bucket and then follow the instructions on the link below. Since I put this tutorial together it has changed its layout slightly but you shouldn't have a problem. If you do have a problem, just shout for help. However your Oscar has definitely got hith so that isn't in doubt.

www.wheelchairanglingandhamradio.co.uk/photobucket.htm

s676.photobucket.com/albums/vv122/Blondeinbc/
try this and let me know if it works. I put all my pictures of my oscar on there

My ph is 7, my ammonia is 0 and the nitrites are 0.3. I recently cleaned my tank- 4 days ago. I do not have a nitrate tester?

Ummmmm..... it's a little bit worse than I thought. It appears to be on both sides of the head and also around its mouth and underneath.

Your nitrite is a little high, that won't help but it's not at a critical level by any means. What type of filtration have you got? What we need to try and do is make sure that you are enough water changes to keep your nitrate levels below 20 ppm, but you're not changing the water too much. Some fish don't like the disturbance and this won't help in the healing process. Do you ever clean your filters out, and if you do how do you go about doing it?

Now you should start feeding your Oscar on good quality food only. Good quality pellets and if you can manage it, insects such as crickets, mealworms, earthworms, cockles or muscles, anything that contains vitamins.

There is medication available but I'm not really in the position to say how well they work because I've never been in a situation where I need it.

You need to get yourself a nitrate test, that is vitally important. You also need to make sure that there is no nitrite present. I forget how big your tank is and what other fish you've got, I can't see under this thread. However, for you to be able to maintain good quality water conditions may possibly mean rehoming some of the other fish, I just want to make you aware of that.

It might be easier to carry out a very small water change every other day, rather than two larger ones twice a week, this will be less disturbance of your fish and probably not as much work for you. Just as long as those nitrate levels are always on the 20 ppm, you've got a very good chance of clearing this disease up without medication.

Thanks for all your wonderful advise. My Oscar is looking so much better already. I went and got a nitrate tester and it is between 10-20. I am doing a water change tomorrow and am going to keep a close eye on everything. Again thanks so much =)

its good to hear that your o is getting better.
as a cardinal rule in happy fish keeping,"pristine
water" is the first and primemodial defense in any
fish illnesses. with good water parameters and varied
foods will keep all fishes healthy.