A hole in the head

danimgale · Jul 23, 2013

So my BSJ has had a spot on his head for a couple weeks and it's not going away. He acts just fine eating, digging etc. he just has this spot. At first I thought he had a piece of substrate stuck there but the more I look at it the more it looks like either a sore or a hole.. These are the best pics I could get because his burrow is in an awkward spot. Any idea what it could be?

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Genesis Corals · Jul 24, 2013

Often caused by stray voltage.

Mike J. · Jul 24, 2013

I thought stray voltage, but can't tell a thing by your picture. Those fish have special needs. Here's a link you might find interesting. Successful BSJF Treatment & Recovery - Steps to Take

Eienna · Jul 24, 2013

More often a dietary deficiency and/or water quality issue.
Marine Head & Lateral Line Erosion: A Description of the Syndrome and a Review of its Speculated Causes by Steven Pro - Reefkeeping.com

danimgale · Jul 24, 2013

Ok, so I'm thinking it's the head and lateral erosion. I'm going to try vitamin supplementing his food. Any suggestions on one I should use?

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Eienna · Jul 24, 2013

Actually, I would try New Life Spectrum pellets if he'll eat them. It's good stuff and has shown effectiveness in treating this issue.

I feed it to my own fish on a regular basis, BTW.

danimgale · Jul 24, 2013

Thanks! I will get some ordered.

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Eienna · Jul 27, 2013

How's it going?

kes · Jul 29, 2013

how long have you had this fish? it could be just a wound by hitting something, injury from another aggressive tankmate?
whether it's from hole in the head disease or some injury, I would recommend soaking the food for about 20mins in either Selcon or Zoecon, AND Vitachem by Boyd enterprises. For decades, i've been using many different types of food, practically every type, change up recipe, nori, everything, but still my fish showed fin erosion. it ate like a pig, so appetite was no problem, and it was super fat. but obviously, something was missing. Those 2 items did the trick with a week, fins began to regrow.

danimgale · Jul 30, 2013

The black spot seems to be shrinking to me land eaving it more white. He seems more active as well so I'm crossing my fingers that this is a good sign.

I have had the fish for a few months. The only other tank mate I have right now is a clown. I did have a crash in my tank about a month ago where I lost a firefish and some corals from overheating of my tank. This could have caused it I suppose but I'm leaning more along the lines of poor nutrition since I already see improvements. I am definitely going to start soaking mysis in one of the supplements mentioned as well. I figure it can't hurt.

Thanks for all the help.

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danimgale · Jul 30, 2013

Question... What about mixing my coral frenzy and mysis at the same time so that they can soak together? Will that enhance the food at all?

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Eienna · Jul 30, 2013

Well...I don't know if it would help, but it probably wouldn't hurt.

danimgale · Jul 31, 2013

Update, he looks way better today. Black spot almost gone and white spot starting to get more color. He's very fiesty now and even attacked my turkey baster at feeding time trying to get the food to come out faster than I was feeding!

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Eienna · Aug 1, 2013

Glad to hear it!

For later reference, did you try the pellets?

danimgale · Aug 1, 2013

I did. He's not real fond of them but does eat a few. Mainly I started target feeding him frozen mysis to make sure he was getting enough food.

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Eienna · Aug 2, 2013

Pellets are an acquired taste XD

When I first got my orange clown it wouldn't eat them, but tried once he saw the black chowing down (who liked them from the time I got her...). He followed her lead and slowly has gotten more used to them - to the point that the orange now eats them with just as much gusto as the black! XD

Duffam3434 · Aug 2, 2013

All my fish love the Life Spectrum! Like Eienna said its an acquired taste but give them a few trys to get to like it. Glad to hear your Jawfish is getting better. There Beautiful Fish!!