Oscar help

[oscar5]

My oscar has white spots growing under his scales. I thought it was ich but im not sure.

[oscar5]

Maybe it is hole in the head disease.

My ph is 7.2 ammonia 0 nitrate 0

It is mostly on the head. Like litte indents.

I hope this helps

[Northernguy]

Do a 50% water change today and daily for the next few days and every other day after that!
How big is your oscar?Tank?Filtration?
How often do you do your water changes?
Hole in the head is caused mostly from bad water conditions,poor diet,and stress.

[oscar5]

4in long
55 gallon
i have a canister filter. Rated for 100 gallon tank. 220gph 4 stage filter
the day after i bought him a white dot appeard on his head. 3 months later it just got worse

[Northernguy]

Tell me about your tank maintenance.W/Cs,how often,how much?
That filter is fine for now but you will need more as it grows.
What are you feeding?

[oscar5]

I do water changes every 4 days. 25 -30 %
Feeding hikari cichlid gold.

[Northernguy]

That sounds like a good w/c shedule!
I am surprised it still has a white spot!
Got any pics?
Is there anything else in the tank?

[oscar5]

There is nothing else in the tank. Ill try to find my usb!
Im going to a pet store to show them the picture in a little.

[Oscar_freak12321]

Well, post up a pic of your oscar, it sounds like hith but I can't be sure, and you have a damn good water schedule so I'm surprised we're even having this discussion.

[oscar5]

Here is the pic i had to borrow a usb from my friend.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Northernguy]

Do the water changes I mentioned!
If you can get a better pic it would help.That doesn't look like hole in the head as much as it looks like it is stressed.
Can you also post a full tank shot!
If you make like you are going to feed it you will get a good head shot!

[Oscar_freak12321]

Looks more like scales coming off more than hith. Do a W/C and let the scales slowly grow back. It really doesn't look like hith though...have you seen him banging his head against the side of the tank, or scratching his head against any decorations?

[oscar5]

Went to my pet store. Showed the pic to the guy and he said hole in the head.

The pic come out much better on my camera.
He gave me something to put in the tank that may help, but i need to find real medication . The pet store said come back in a week and he will have the meds but is that 2 late?

[Crispy]

Looks like a wound more than HITH. Keep your water clean as possible and he should start healing up.

[Northernguy]

What did your lfs sell you?

[oscar5]

Idk what it is called, but it is for wounds and diseases. he said it might cure hole in the head.

If it is a wound it will work.

[oscar5]

It is called melafix

[Oscar_freak12321]

Ah, melafix. Good. Yes, that'll fix it right up. Just follow the directions on the bottle and it should clear up.

[oscar5]

it said to take the carbon out, so i did. ( guess the carbon absors the melafix)

When should i do my water change. it says wait a week.? should i wait.

[Oscar_freak12321]

Hmm...a week sounds about right.

[oscar5]

So if it is hole in the head, will melafix cure it?

[Oscar_freak12321]

It will get rid of it. Hole in the head scars stay forever. Still, it looks a lot more like a wound than a case of hith in my opinion. Still treat with Melafix. Whatever it is, it will treat it.

[oscar5]

Thank you for the help. Ill update the oscars status in about a week.

[Oscar_freak12321]

All right. You're very welcome. :22:

[chronic]

Those really look like wounds to me... Do you have anything in the tank that is by any means sharp?? Oscars get spooked pretty easy, some get night tremors and get freaked out for no reason and start thrashing in the dark.

What is your nitrite? You didn't mention that.


But yeah, like everyone said. Melafix will help. I wish you luck.

[oscar5]

I did mention the nitrate in the second post. it is 0.
I don't think there is anything sharp in there. But by his gills the holes look like there getting deeper.

[oscar5]

He still seems active. He is also eating still. But i am noticeing it getting worse.

[chronic]

Not nitrate, nitrites...

And I have to ask, what are you using to test your water? Because you should always have some nitrates. 0 makes you wonder if your having a mini cycle or just a bad test kit.

Thats good he's active and eating!

[kaimarkhirst]

thats not hole in the head mate so dont worry. These are clear wounds from territorial and dominance fights and ive seen this loads of times.... Especially from commercial pet stores where they simply cram the same species in and sell if quick..

Melafix with oscars... Id treat full measures for 3 days max for wounds as they react almost immeadiately to the oils and vitamins. Itll destress them and bath the wounds.. Theyll heal up in about a week or so as they are not so big...

also, id try a more balanced diet for these boys. Try some shrimp/prawns hand fed, or smelt if you can get it.. the vitamins in processed fish will do them the world of good. only dont do it too often as they wont eat the dried food!!!! I started feeding meaty foods and they wont even touch dried at all now...

Also, water changes... Does anybody else think its a little too much or is it just me.. I usually think about once a week would be fine and 25%..


Hope this helps..

Kai

[oscar5]

Not nitrate, nitrites...

And I have to ask, what are you using to test your water? Because you should always have some nitrates. 0 makes you wonder if your having a mini cycle or just a bad test kit.

Thats good he's active and eating!

Well. the kit is from petsupermarket. it is like 7 years old. it is one you fill up tubes with water from your tank and add drops of certain chemicals in it.

[Northernguy]

Throw out the kit!
They are only have a 1 yr shelf life.Thats why you are getting those readings.
My oscars get scarred up all the time.It takes a few days to heal on its own.All I do is water changes.Up to 50% everytime.
My fish are healthy and look great.
You cannot really too many water changes especially with oscars.
Yes Melafix may help! They do not sell it up here so I have never used it!
Is this what your oscar looks like?
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[oscar5]

pretty much.

[Northernguy]

Take a sample of your water to an lfs and have them test it!
Post the test results!
Do a water change!
Hole in the head is caused mostly by poor diet and lousy water conditions!
Get the right meds and treat it following the directions!

[oscar5]

will do. thanks for the advice.

[oscar5]

Well it has been 2 days since i stoped with the melafix. The white is gone, but there are still indents on him. Are those the scars?