I have 5 Oscars, and one of them seems to have deep craters in the face. What is it?

Answer 1

how big is this tank with 5 oscars?
As with any medication or possiable disease with fish, the first rule of thumb is know what your fish may or may not be suffering from.

Here are a few possiable problems with your fish. Since we cannot see them, you will have to decide what the exact problem is.

Fish Pox- The disease mainly is seen in Carp. It has been found among some various aquarium fish. It is thought that fish pox is mainly caused by a species specific virus. Symptoms- The disease begins as small, opalescent white spots with a greasy appearance and possibly with streaks of black pigment. These spots stand above the skin about 1-2 mm and gradually increase in size. The spots merge so that large areas of skin are affected. The growths are quite firm to the touch and may take on a reddish grey appearance with time. Treatment- There is no known treatment for this. If the affected fish are kept in clean, healthy surroundings the signs should disappear after 8-12 weeks. They may appear again but this is unlikely with healthy fish.

Hole in the Head is a disease of tropical fish which starts with smalls sore on the head above the eyes. These sore grow and eventually penetrate through the outer layer of skin.
Hole in the Head is most often seen in large Cichlids or other large fish. Oscars are large Cichlids and are often infected with Hole in the Head. Hole in the Head is the result of poor water quality over a long period of time. It's best to prevent Hole in the Head by doing the proper maintenance schedule. If you have a Fish with Hole in the Head, you should immediately begin the recommended Maintenance Schedule and get the properly size aquarium for your fish. (recomended for oscars: One large Oscar 8-inches in length needs at least 80-gallons of water. Two 8-inch Oscars need at least 150-gallons of water. More Oscars and larger Oscars need even bigger aquariums with more water. )

However, the Recommended Treatment usually will not cure Hole in the Head. It's worth a try, and it may work, or it may arrest the disease, so the fish can survive.
The combination of Flagyl (metronidazoel) and Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin) usually does work to cure Hole in the Head. But these are both pharmaceutical drugs that require a prescription to obtain.

At one time you could buy medicated flakes, and one type of those flakes contained these two drugs. But I haven't seen any of the medicated flakes offered for sale in several years.

Hole in Head guard is sold to prevent this is cichlid and oscar tanks.

Your fish could have scaring from fighting for space in their tank. If only one is suffering, remember hole in head is contagious. I would quarantene that fish and treat it on its own.

Answer 2

I hope you have a tank in the 135 gallon range, and someplace to rehome 3 oscars when two pair up. Metro can be found as Hex-A-Mit, sold over the counter, or bought online as metronidazole. It is available over the counter in the US & Canada.

HITH is most often caused by poor water quality & a poor diet. Oscars often get it by being kept in a tank that is too small & fed feeder fish from a local shop. The combination results in HITH.

Besides doing regular large weekly water changes, feed a quality pellet food soaked in a liquid vitamin such as Centrum. This with metro in the water will help over time.

Answer 3

Good question indeed. The "dark side" of the Moon is never visible from Earth because the moon spins on it's axis at the same time as the Earth does. There are craters all over the moon - even on the "other side of the Moon". Craters are caused because of impacts by meteors and other small bodies colliding with the surface of the Moon.

Answer 4

How Big are they You cant put to many in one tank cause they will kill one off to make room he might be getting beat up. watch and see if the other four are picking on that one. and if so you will have to move him. I have Oscars we have 4 tanks over 100 gallons and two hold ciclids one is a community tank and one is oscars and we only have three in it.

Answer 5

Its called hole in the head,its non cureable,shiclids are prone to it ,oscars jack dempseys,see local pet stores,or internet under diseases prone to affect red and tigered oscars.