ciclids that possibly have hole in the head

Question
I have a fifty five gal. tank with (1)Oscar (2)small convicts and (1)large half Jack dempsy and half convict, my problem exist with the half jack dempsy half convict. It has a large spot protruding off the side of his head, and he lays on his side all the time and even swims that way.I lost one african firemouth this way already. So my question is, are all my fish pretty much going to die over time now that this is existed in my tank for so long? I was told that this is a parasite and that they can contract this also through feeder fish. My husband likes to go and pick up little minnows from the local bait shop and bring them home to feed the fish and also the large fishing worms! AM keeping the tank as clean I can and I hope you can help with a little advice thanks

Answer
Hi Amy,
  It could be a parasite but not necessarily.  And, if it is a parasite, that doesn't mean that it can go from one fish to another.  

  As for the bait shop minnows, well..  those are much better than fish store feeder goldfish though I wouldn't recommend them.  The worms are actually great fish food and I don't know of any parasites that can transfer from a worm to a fish, so go with the worms.

 So, I would keep up hope that all your fish are not going to die from this.  Do weekly partial water changes: I strongly recommend changing 25% of the water once a week, every week and that will give your fish the best chance.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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