I have a 1 year old Oscar that developed HIH probably 6 months ago, it had gotten pretty bad with the largest hole being on the center of his face from nostril to nostril. I have been battling the disease with frequent water changes to no avail. He's on a diet of pellet/stick food and generally we have kept the water around 80-84%, unable to keep a constant temperature due to the water changes as well as the air temperature in the house affecting the tank. (Its been very HOT here)

We seem to have had a major break through recently in his recovery. I had my daughter do a 90% water change in the tank about 10 days ago.. she accidently filled the tank with water that was warmer than normal, at least 90 degrees or more, my thermometers only go to 90 so I couldnt get an accurate reading. Oddly, the fish was extremely happy with the warmth, and the holes in his body were noticably healing within 2 days.

My daughter did another water change 2 days ago, again she filled the tank with warmer water, again too warm to register.. again the fish LOVED it.. and is healing very rapidly. He's looking very healthy again, is very active, and very happy.

The water changes were done with tap water and chlorine remover, and he has a charcoal filter in his tank which is approximately 70 gallons capacilty. The only other fish in the tank is the plecosamis(sp?).

I wish I had taken before and after pictures to show how quick and drastic his healing process has been, but I had no idea this was going to happen.

Hi, really glad to hear that your fish is recovering. However, don't think I would advocate adding water that is significantly different in temperature to the existing tank water. There probably wasn't a massive difference or you may find your fish wouldn't like it. But keep up what you're doing, it sounds like you are winning

This is a new one to me. Im glad you oscar is healing.

It would be interesting to see if this is an isolated case or it may (unlikely) be a new way to help HITH. If anyone else who has HITH wants to try this is would be interesting to see the results- but be warned adding warmer water is a risk to you oscar!!!!

I was frantic both times the water was changed, I really thought it was gonna hurt him. It was strange that he was so active in the warm water, I would have thought the opposite. The water wasnt extremely warm, just slightly warm to the touch, maybe a few degrees warmer than luke warm. I wish I could give a more accurate reading. I wanted to add that I have not had the heater turned on in his tank for at least 6 weeks due to the unusually hot weather we've been having. I just checked the thermometers in his tank and today they are reading about 86 degrees so the temp has fallen over the past couple days. I'm wondering if the warmth didnt increase his circulation which has helped him to heal?

Anyhow, I just wantwed to pass this along and maybe it can help other fish that are suffering, and hope that HiH's cause and treatment can be positively determined and treated.... and if anyone else tries warming the water to pleez watch their fish closely so they dont get too warm.