help with an oscar!?

Question

I am taking care of my husband's fish, um we should change our water more often, but don't. . . don't scold me, just we never changed the water. Well today I was cleaning all day in the kitchen, where the oscar is (didn't use anything with fumes that could contaminate the water) I noticed he was white as a ghost. not knowing anything about fish, I tested the PH because I know that is something, when I did, it was 6. So I freaked out and changed more of the water than I should have (after reading) I did the water conditioner. Didn't replace the filter (almost did) Got ph to be closer to 7. Now I read and found that I shouldn't change anything too dramatically. oops. Is the fish going to die? should I do anythign else?

The fish looks fine otherwise, although are the dorsal fins supposed to be more jagged? Would the prior high acidic (6) content have eaten away at him?

Answer 1

I've owned oscars before and they have an annoying tendency to change their hue dramatically. You didn't say if there was anything else wrong with him (i.e. white spots, opaque film, lethargic, tattered fins) so I can't say if he was sick or not. Keep an eye on him. As long as you didn't change the temperature of the water drastically when you changed it he will probably be okay, but he might be uncomfortable for a while. I don't think you should do anything else.

Answer 2

People who are most dedicated to keeping their oscars healthy sometimes change 50% of the water daily. There is no such thing as too mcuh water change. No beneficial bacteria lives in the water- it lives in the filter.

Answer 3

Changing water usually goes with temp change(thas bad) If you got that under control try PH tablets ..... You can get them at Walmart, Kmart bout anywhere ....Never had an Oscar but heard they are resiliant, tough, and very hungry...just keep feeding