My oscar has a sore underneath right between his fins. The fin that is closest to the sore has wither up and close. I am treating him with metfix but is seem not to be working. The other fin look to be getting the same way.How can I help him.
2006-08-21 16:10:45 · 4 answers · asked by Jonnie O 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
This requires a very long answer because, unfortunately, this problem is not easy to treat and very little is known about it's cause. It is known as head and lateral line erosion disease, and it affects many species of freshwater and marine fish. In aquarium literature it is sometimes abbreviated to HLLE, LLE, or LLD (lateral line disease).
The exact cause of lateral-line disease is unknown, though progress has been made. There are many theories, and a lot of research has been done on the subject. The April, 2003 issue of Aquarium Fish Magazine features a very good article by Jay Hemdal on HLLE. Possibilities include everything fom bacteria, viral agents, poor water quality, nutritional deficiencies, and so on.
Rather than describing all of the possible theories, listed below are some great links on the subject (all open new pages):
Hole in the Head - Lateral Line Erosion
Head and Lateral Line Erosion
The fish that are affected by this problem are usually laterally compressed such as Discus and Angelfish in freshwater and Tangs and Angelfish in saltwater. Oscars are also notorious for coming down with this disease. The problem is that the condition does not affect these species all the time. You can have one fish in one tank that develops HLLE and the same species in another tank that never gets it. You can even have two fish of the same species in the same tank and only one comes down with the condition.
We recommend that you first start by making sure the water quality is good and that the fish gets extra nutrients in its diet. Do some good water changes, vacuum gravel and change filter media. Then get some fish vitamins and soak the food in them before feeding. Try this for about six weeks and see if the problem clears up. In our experience, this works in about 50% of the cases we've seen. If that does not work, we suggest you return to this page and explore some of the treatments that are described in the pages to which the links above will take you.
2006-08-22 05:18:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a stress coat.. or check the other fishes in the tank.. They could be chewing off his scales... That is very common!
2006-08-21 23:21:03 · answer #2 · answered by ROO! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oscars are prone to a disease called hole in head disease...that is what it sounds like.
2006-08-21 23:16:15 · answer #3 · answered by Hula Girl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Flush him.
2006-08-21 23:17:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋