My two-year old Oscar has this disease and I just found out what it was right now on this site. He has had all the symptoms for a little over a week now but I didn't know what was going on. He hasn't been feeding and I'm afraid he might starve. He also jumped out of the tank once and landed on the tile floor. Luckily I was there to get him back in the water in time. I taped the top cover shut. Early tommorow morning I will clean his tank and administer medication once I find out what these are. I still don't know what to do with him not eating anything... what should I do?? Please, I love this fish, he's like part of our family.

Okay, first thing first. You need to carry out a water test. hole in the head disease is often associated with poor water conditions. You need to test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrates and pH. There isn't any point in starting any kind of medication until we know your water is okay. Also, what type of food to feed your Oscar? You actually don't need to feed your Oscar that much, every other day would suffice. Doing this will encourage them to eat. If you feed them every day then there's more chance they will go off their food. This is from experience. You should also vary in their diet as well, they often get bored of one food.

If possible, can you post some photographs so we can see the extent of the disease, if indeed it is this disease. Early stages of this disease can often be cleared up just by increasing tank maintenance.

I would also like you to look at your fish carefully and tell me whether or not it is breathing heavily i.e. opening and closing its mouth rapidly

Sadly, all efforts are too late for my little friend. The wounds on his head and body have healed as they were medicated but the little guy is very weak and won't eat despite good water condition and temperature. He won't eat anything and is getting weaker by the second. He was fine at first but now lays on his side at the bottom of the tank. He would try to respond to me everytime I get close to the tank by trying to get up and wiggling its fins but he's just very weak... I've read that I should plan on euthanasia but I don't think I can do that. I'll continue treatment and hopefully he miraculously gets up eventually. If not, then a proper burial in the backyard for our beloved "Aquatic Puppy" will be done. He gave all of us 2 1/2 years of joy. He was as responsive as our two dogs. We are all heartbroken.

Really sorry to hear that things don't look good. Is the fish breathing heavily? There's not much you can do if the fish won't eat, does keep your fingers crossed. If the time comes when euthanasia is the only option, don't worry, clove oil is the best way to go. Very peaceful and humane.

omg my Oscar is better... getting better by the day and I can't believe I almost euthanized him. It's a good thing I was hesitating to do it... I thought for sure he won't get better and would eventually die as he was barely alive the past week but he started to get better and the curve in his spine slowly disappeared and now he's swimming and eating!! I'm so happy. He still has those holes on his head but I will keep up with his treatment. Also, his left fin started to rot but now it stopped but about a quarter of his fin is gone at the tip... will the tissue regenerate? I hope his left fin grows back into normal.

Glad your fish is getting better. Euthanasia really should be a last option when you know for sure they are not going to survive

Keep doing lots of water changes to keep your water quality at its best to help the HITH cure

Fins will grow back as long as they are not taken back to the 'root'. Thats the base of the fin