heximita

[giorid]

Hi guys,
I've just started treating my angels, in a 4ft tank, for what I think is hex since they have stopped eating but are always at the front glass asking to be fed, I've tried feeding different foods but they ignore everything, the food just lies on the bottom waiting for me to remove it, I'm using flagyl 400mg at the rate of 250mg to 50L of water for 3 days, after which a 33% water change needs to be done. this is what a book I have about fish diseases recommends, I'm just wondering if this is the usual procedure, do you use this method of treating too or do you have a different way, thanks again, cheers. :wink:

[Merrilyn]

Giorid, I've listed below an article I wrote a couple of years ago on the treatment of Hex and Lateral Line Erosion in fish. The information was sourced from two vets, one of them a specialist fish vet. Note that Metro is the same as Flagyl.


"
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.