La hexamite this is protozzo that particularly affects discus fish. Hexamite takes advantage of the fact that the fish is low in defenses to cause disease. It is believed that it develops in aquariums where the quality of the water is lower.
We know that discus fish are affected by this disease when we notice that he barely eats, and has a darker color than normal. Their stools are stringy, whitish and very long. In addition, being a very active, sociable and curious fish, it is easy to detect that something is happening to it.
Hexamite, at a more advanced stage, appear typical lesions of holes in the head of the fish. First as punctate lesions, producing a depigmentation of the skin, and later, expanding and producing crater-shaped lesions. All of them can be secondarily infected by bacteria and fungi.
El Discus fish can even die if not treated in time. The final cause would be a secondary microbial infection, that is, by opportunistic diseases produced by pathogens that are part of the microbial flora of the fish itself.
Treatment
If we take into account that treating fish for any disease has its difficulties when it comes to administering the treatment. All or most have to include them in the aquarium water. If we take into account that the hexamite disease, precisely they stop eating, it is difficult for them to ingest the treatment through food.
As in most bacteria and diseases The first thing to do is raise the temperature of the aquarium. No more than 34 degrees. We will go up it progressively and not abruptly. Thus the discus fish can improve its immune system. In many cases it heals itself.
If the disease is very advanced and needs treatment, there is give them Tinidazole. These are tablets that will be mixed with the food in porridge. If the fish do not eat the treatment, it must be done directly in the water.