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  1. #11
    Eternal Moderator Merrilyn's Avatar
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    Jul 2004
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    Melbourne Vic.
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    8,692
    The instructions I have put on the forum for treating Hole in the head have been checked by three vets, one of whom is a fish specialist. Please don't vary the treatment in any way.


    "
    This is the latest treatment for hole in the head, confirmed by two vets.

    Once the fish has been treated with Metro, it's important to add green vegetable matter and vitamins to the diet to aid in the healing of the holes.

    It can be transmitted to your other fish, possibly thru contaminated droppings, although little scientific work has been done in this area. It is believed that the pathogen responsible for Hole in the Head (also known by a variety of other names such as Hex, head and lateral line erosion and wasting disease) is Spironucleus Vortens.

    An infected fish may show one or several of the following symptoms:-

    Skin lesions around the head area.
    Turning dark.
    Refusing to eat.
    White jelly like droppings.
    Muscle wasting and pinched appearance above the eyes.

    The best drug to use is Metronidazole (Flagyl) which you will need to get from your local vet. Ring first to see if he will prescribe it after seeing a photo of the fish, or if he insists on seeing the fish himself.

    1. Move the fish to a clean hospital tank with some of the existing tank water. You'll need a heater and mature sponge filter.

    2. Set the temperature to 30 degrees, no higher.


    3. Add 250 mg Metro per 10 Litres of water. Crush tablets to fine powder and mix with water to form a paste before adding to the tank.

    4. After 48 hours, do a 30% water change and repeat the dose. This should be done for a total of 3 treatments.

    5. During treatment the tank lights should be left off. Metro is affected by light. And turn off your UV unit.

    6. A variety of good quality, high protein food with added vitamins and minerals should be fed several times daily. Include prepared dry food, beef heart, brine shrimp, green vegetable matter and blood worms in the diet. Remove any uneaten food and keep the water very clean.

    DO NOT USE LIQUID METRO. IT CONTAINS SUGAR WHICH WILL CAUSE A BACTERIAL BLOOM IN YOUR TANK AND SUFFOCATE YOUR FISH. ONLY USE METRO IN TABLET FORM. "
    Thirty-five years keeping and breeding discus, and I'm still learning :P

    Merrilyn has passed, but will not be forgotten - Goodbye dear friend

  2. #12
    Blue Diamond Discus BigDaddyAdo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Baulkham Hills, Sydney
    Posts
    1,047
    Does soaking Blackworms in meds actually work?
    I don't get drunk I get AWESOME!!!

  3. #13
    Blue Diamond Discus
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Wonthaggi Victoria
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    1,089
    I have just gone through the same thing myself. If you read on the packet it says may need another treatment after 7 days. I did the 2 treatments and still the fish in question was passing the white poo. It didn't eat until last night either. Is it right to be dropping one treatment before it is complete and starting another???? Especially if you really are not sure what it is.
    Wise words from a wise man on here .

  4. #14
    Just an Egg
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Jervis Bay
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    75
    Ok I got the Metro in 200mg tablet strength.

    Just to be sure with dosage. If it is 250mg per 10 litres, if I treat in a 40 litre tank do I use 5 tablets?

    If so, when I do 30% wc after 48 hrs do I put in another five tablets or only 30% of 5 tablets?

  5. #15
    Moderator
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    Jan 2007
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    Penrith NSW
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    correct 5 tablets treat 40L.

    after 48hrs do a 30% change and add 5 more tablets, 48 hrs later do another chnage and add another 5 tablets you need 15 tabs in total

  6. #16
    Just an Egg
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Jervis Bay
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    75
    Thanks for the super quick reply.

    Merrilyn says to feed several times daily but they have refused to eat for close to two weeks. How long into tratment should I try to feed?

    Secondly I have got the tank, heater but have just purchased a new sponge filter. Is it a big problem if it isn't mature?

  7. #17
    Moderator
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    Jan 2007
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    Penrith NSW
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    huge problem, if it isnt mature the ammonia produced by the fish could kill them.

    if you can fill the sponge filter pipe with mature media from another filter and use a rubberband and an old stocking to cover the hole.

    off er feeds the morning before your water change that way any uneaten food will be removed with the water change and wont foul the water.

  8. #18
    Just an Egg
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Jervis Bay
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    75
    I can take some of the noodles out of my eheim to put into the pipe.

    Hopefully that works.

  9. #19
    Just an Egg
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Jervis Bay
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    75
    What is an ideal size hospital tank to treat 2 or 3 medium size fish. Is a standard 2 foot enough?

  10. #20
    Moderator
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    Jan 2007
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    Penrith NSW
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    little small but should be ok

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