Hole in the head disease in ornamental fishes

Objective: Hole in the head disease (FHLLE) is a fairly common disease of freshwater fish that primarily affects cichilds, discus, and Oscars. The exact cause of hole in the head disease has yet to be determined. A common contributing cause is the flagellate parasite Hexamita (Spironucleus). Another popular theory is mineral or vitamin imbalance. The signs include pitting-type lesions on the head and lateral line. If treatment are not initiated, the holes will become larger and secondary bacterial and fungal infections will develop and the fish becomes systemically ill with loss of appetite and death. Method & Materials: Treatment usually consists of riding the fish of Hexamita, improve water quality, and improve vitamin/mineral supplementation and nutrition. A common treatment for infection with Hexamita includes using the antibiotic metronidazole. Prevention primarily focuses on reducing any stress affecting the fish. Until now, 6 cases of oscars, 2 of discuses, 8 of cichlids that had Hole in the head disease, were reported in Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Tehran University. The major cause in these cases was mineral and vitamin deficiency except 2 cases of oscar that were infected by Hexamita and were treated with metronidazole. Results & Conclusion: If you own cichlids, oscars, or discus this is a disease that may occur in your tank. Be able to recognize the disease and take prompt steps to initiate early treatment; provide optimum water conditions; and feed the best possible diet. If managed and maintained properly, your fish should improve and not develop the disease again in the future.

کلیدواژه ها:

freshwater fish ، Cichlids ، Discus ، Oscars ، Hole-in-the-head disease ، Lateral line erosion ، Hexamita