Head and lateral line erosion, (HLLE) or hole-in-the-head (HITH) is a disease in fish. Chronic ulcerative dermatopathy or chronic erosive dermatopathy are symptoms of similar conditions with different etiology.
Symptoms
HLLE begins as small pits of receding epithelium (skin) around the fish's head and/or
lateral line
The lateral line, also called the lateral line organ (LLO), is a system of sensory organs found in fish, used to detect movement, vibration, and pressure gradients in the surrounding water. The sensory ability is achieved via modified epithelia ...
, and sometimes onto the unpaired fins. Rarely fatal, it does cause disfigurement, making the fish less suitable for public aquarium display. At least 20 families of fish have been identified as having developed HLLE in captivity. Not all species of fish show the same symptoms, and do not always develop lesions to the same degree.
Causes
HLLE has not been sufficiently studied to identify all causes. In marine fish, two studies point to the use of
activated carbon
Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, is a form of carbon commonly used to filter contaminants from water and air, among many other uses. It is processed (activated) to have small, low-volume pores that greatly increase the surface ar ...
in closed aquarium ecosystems as contributors.
Cure
Hole in the head can be reversed by removing all activated carbon and conducting large percentage water changes. Greater than 90% water changes may need to be done to reduce the effects of activated carbon. More commonly, cures are made by moving the fish to a new aquarium that has never had fish develop HLLE in it.
References
{{fish disease topics
Cichlidae
Fish diseases