help please, sick oscar. new owner

[lilly_gurl82]

Hi every one I am new to this site because I need advice. I have kind of inherited 2 oscars and all of a sudden one of my fish has started loosing scales. He look so disgusting right now . Over the last few days fish seem to have been smooching and rubbing rocks and moving things around but it seems far to severe now for it to be just that. would love your thoughts. Will consult proffesionals tomorrow. Thanks heaps

[Bill]

Are they in the same tank? If so it's probaly being attacked by the other Oscar. Try putting up a divider and see if the scale loss continues.

[JohnL]

Welcome to the forum sorry it's under these circumstances. In order to help we need a little more info.

• Tank Size:
• How long has it been setup:
• How many fish:
• Type of fish:
• Size of fish:
• Filtration:
• Ammonia Reading:
• Nitrite Reading:
• Nitrate Reading:
• PH Reading:
• Temperature:
• Any recent changes in tank decor or tank mates:
• Any medication:
• Food what kind how often:
• When was last water change and how much:

Please answer as many of these questions as you can. The answers will help us help you.
Any other info you can provide would be most helpful

[lilly_gurl82]

I have seen them messing about from what I hve read thought they may have been about to lay eggs. Lots of lip locking and rubbing rocks with there bottom jaw and kind of looked like there was some flirting going on. Then I come home from work and my fish is badly injured. Will give the divided a whirl. We are getting a second tank so might seperate them for awhile and see how that goes. Thank u

[TimP]

If you could answer as many of the questions that JohnL posted as you can it would really help us figure out the issue you are having. Also, welcome to the site, sorry of the current circumstances though.

[donsfish]

Will consult proffesionals tomorrow.

We may not get paid....... "professionals".......... but you're in the best hands I could imagine for help
Answering as many of those questions in the lists will go a long way to getting a good answer.

[lilly_gurl82]

Hi Everyone, Thanks for your posts, I will try my best to answer all the questions.

•Tank Size: 60 Litres
•How long has it been setup: 18 months at least
•How many fish: 2
•Type of fish: I think they are called tiger oscars, both black and orange
•Size of fish: im not to good with sizes, one is probably about 25cm and the sick one probably 20cm
•Filtration: I have 2 filters, One is a Filter Pro 1500, 3 stage and the other is Aqua one Maxi 102 F both internals
•Ammonia Reading: Havent done a water test before, fish always seem healthy, we clean filters weekly with fortnightly water changes. Using tap water with a conditioner
•Temperature: Temperature we have just put to 23 degrees as it is very warm here now
•Any recent changes in tank decor or tank mates: We added a new decoration about a week ago
•Any medication: Pet shop just told me to but some stress relief drops in which is like a slime coating for the fish i think he said
•Food what kind how often: Cichlid Pellets twice daily and everynow and then feeder fish or crays
•When was last water change and how much: I did I water change this morning because I was worried it was the water and I did about 80% prior to this one was last weekend and same amount.

I have never really been a fish person but my brother in law moved out and left the poor fish behind in a filthy tank so i cleaned it and have looked after them since, they seemed to be so healthy and grew really quickly once there home was sorted out.

My larger fish is also looking a bit off colour. He is normally all black and orange but he is looking more grey and orange at the moment. The pet shop said this is all sounds normal especially with the change in weather but I am still concerned. I feel so bad for the little one it looks painful.

[Gerry]

A few issues here and the main one is tank size, 60 litre (15gal) is way to small for Oscars, one alone needs 55gal (210 litre)
Internal filters are pretty useless as a main filter for Oscars too as they produce so much waste.
Water changes in a tank that size with 2 Oscars would need to be daily at about 80% per day
Water temp should be around 26c so your a bit low there too.
Food, They require a mixed diet with some veg matter and it is never a good idea to feed feeders as they can carry parasites and disease.

I have never really been a fish person but my brother in law moved out and left the poor fish behind in a filthy tank so i cleaned it and have looked after them since, they seemed to be so healthy and grew really quickly once there home was sorted out.

never a good way to have to start fishkeeping, so good on you for taking care of them the best you could.

If you intend to keep these fish then I suggest you really need to upgrade to a tank of around 90gal (340litre) and canister filtration with a minimum turnover of tank vol x 5. If you can't manage this then it would be best to rehome them as the care will become a task more than enjoyment long term. Oscars can live 15+ years, so a proper tank/filtration is a must.

[lilly_gurl82]

Hi Gerry ,

we are looking into getting a new tank and system for the Oscars as they are part of the family now. They seem so excited usually when I get home from work. I know its only probably because they want food. But I do love them so hopefully I can get them healthy again.

I dont know how my little oscar is gonna go tho, hes not eating now. And just sitting in the corner of the tank not very active at all

[donsfish]

Thanks for the the added information. I definitely agree with what Gerry is saying.

[Blake]

Going to agree with Gerry on the issues he presented and hope that you can get them a 90gal or larger very very soon.

[Gerry]

This could be a space aggression issue. Oscars like a territory and more so when adult. your guys can't get away from each other so maybe a bit of bullying going on.

[lilly_gurl82]

Thanks everyone for your guidence we have just bought a nice 6 ft tank and new filters . Get it in a couple of days, but little fish looks to be on the mend thankfully.

[JohnL]

Good news he's doing better and congrats on the new tank.

[donsfish]

When you set up the new tank and filters, also run the existing filter on the new tank for a while also, even the substrate and decor can be used to help get a jumpstart on cycling the new tank. Those things will have the beneficial bacteria colonies in/on them. But do start with all fresh/chlorine treated water.
Congrats on the new tank, and good to hear the little guy is doing better.