Hey all, looks like I picked a 'good' time to join this site.

--A few days ago I noticed a small white mark on the upper right hand side of one of my red oscars head. Of course we all know they do tend to get bumps and scrapes from time to time, and it looked isolated so I didn't give it too much thought..Well, yesterday and today I just noticed it seems to have spread, and unfortunately along the lines and patterns of right where HITH develops.

--Well, I just put them in a new larger tank with a new filter...the other one didn't seem to be working so when I went in to get my air pump I upgraded in size and quality with the filter. However I noticed this one was a carbon filter.

--Perhaps that might be part of the problem?

--Also, I'm thinking this might have originally occurred with my old tank...the filter was performing very poorly and the water quality wasn't what I would have liked.

--6 days ago they had their transfer to their new 55 gallon tank, with a good cleaning of everything and new filter.

Anyways, I've been reading up on it, any additional advice would be greatly appreciated..Luckily Ive been reading through this site alot lately so hopefully I can stop it...of course now Im paranoid, seeing ick on my other one and such.

Bummer. I was really happy to get everything situated.

Here it is..the best quality shots I could get in the short term..its hard to focus through the glass and they don't stay exactly stay still. I'm pretty proof positive it's HITH, but of course, I'd like the conformation from you all who have alot more experience.


--JP

well the other problem could be if you didn't cycle the new filter before you put your fish in.... did you happen to continue to run the old filter with the new one???
if you dont have your old one running with your new one or used the biological media from the old filter then you are basicly cycling your tank again and its possible your fish will not make it so you need to do water changes to keep your parameters in check this is very important if you want your fish to survive!

but yes the carbon could have been the culpret along with bad water conditions so if you still have the carbon you may want to remove it others will chime in soon i hope this helps

Hi Hun, It's good to know that you have been doing a lot of reading on this site. Cause then you know to remove all carbon, and keep your water in perfect condition!

I am so sorry your babies are sick! but I am sure you will make them better!

I would say that HITH but a focused shot would help to say 100%

Keep you water quality as good as you can with lots and lots of water changes. If you havnt got one get yourself a test kit (not the strips but the bottle types)

Remove the carbon and replace with more filter media

I did run the old filter...however i did a complete water change and ran the new charcoal filter right off the bat. I have removed the carbon from the new filter. It seems odd that the presence of carbon after only 6 days would cause this...

--Should I continue using the old filter?

--Should i immediately do a water change? Complete or partial?

--Should i attempt to 'cycle' this tank, will that serve any purpose at all at this point it is too late for that?

--Should i quarantine the affected fish?

--I have been feeding them a combination of Cichlid gold pellets and Tetra cichlid jumbo sticks...perhaps a vitamin deficiency might be contributing?

I'm trying to do what i can in the short term immediately.I was looking to order this as well.
www.marinedepot.com/Aquarium_Pharmaceuti...731-FIMEPS-0-vi.html

--Thx again for the help

Hun, the best thing you can do is get yourself an API liquid water test kit! That will tell us where your water is and also tell us if your tank is cycled! If you could please test your water and post the results I will happily answer all your questions!

I would avoid medications if at all possible, Clean good water will heal your fish in no time!

English Bulldogs can't get HITH, can they?!?

So I should get a test kit and change the water completely again after only 6 days?

LOL, no hun, I think you bully is fine!! LMAO!!

Get the test kit and check your water... post the results on here and we will go from there on what you will need to do!

The most likely cause of your HITH is poor water quality

Fresh carbon wouldnt have caused the problem but its best to remove it now before it gets old and causes problems

As you run the new filter your tank should be cycled but as you said it was working poorly so the only way to be sure is to test the water. You should get a test kit even if you dont have problems as they can act as a early warning system

You should never need to do a complete water change, 50% is generally the most you should ever need to do in any given day

HITH is not catching from one fish to another so you dont need to quarantine any fish

The best cure for HITH is very very good water, that means ammonia and nitrite are zero and nitrate as low as possible. If you have enough filtration then ammonia and nitrite will always be zero, to keep nitrates low you need to do lots and lots of water changes. Normally a 50% weekly water change wil be enough but to cure HITH you need to do lots more. I would go for 2 50% water changes a week and some smaller ones whenever you have the chance

Most cichlid pellets have everything a cichlid will need so i doubt a vitamin deficiency would be the cause

Those medications are very unlikely to cure HITH. Octozin is supposed to help but again it doesnt really cure HITH but kills a bacteria associated with HITH. No one has researched into HITH but what we do know is the cause is bad water or stress and that a cure is pristine water. Be warned it can take a very very long time to cure HITH

Thanks guys...I'm feeling alot more positive about this. I guess I'm pissed because it's my first time with a tank of any significant size so I thought i was careful..Ah well, real Aquariums are tricky, you think you know alot but it turns out you don't even know the half of it yet, and that's just FRESHwater with fairly hardy fish!

Ah well, trial and error...

I'll test the water and do 2 50% water changes every week...see what happens.

...and I might be the cause of my Bully's hole in the head...if he craps on the carpet anymore...

--Regards,

--JP

dont worry we all makes mistakes, i know i did. The thing is to learn from your mistake and that is what you are doing. You will need to do at least 2 50% water changes to help cure the HITH

after reviewing all posting here, i went back with the picture. although it
is something blurry, i am just wondering why it is straight pattern. it seem
an injury to me... like some sharp edges that comes in contact when resting,
or a place where it used to hang out.

please check.