My sisters oscar is 9 years old. His whole body is sunken in and I tryed to get him to eat and he wont. He was eating two days ago. Is that it, now? Nothing I can do? Half of his back of his body is turning black.
2007-06-18 05:50:46 · 7 answers · asked by ~§uηƒℓσబєr§~ 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Even if the amonia levels are high, what is the reason for his body being all sunken in? His tank was cleaned couple days ago. I am just finding it hard to come to terms of it may if for him.
2007-06-18 06:05:51 · update #1
It sounds to me like you have a collapse in your biological filtration. My first guess on this info is you have ammonia in your water. Run a test, check your ammonia and nitrite levels, and please get back to us quick. If you find the water levels on those chemicals up, do a water change like NOW. What size tank is he in, what do you normally feed, how often do you do your water changes and cleaning, and what kind of filter are you using, please.
JV
FOLLOW UP: use my avatar to mail me direct if needed, I'm at work and jumping back and forth on windows. For the body to wither, I am thinking it's something in the food? I am not sure, but it maybe a parasite also. One thing is for sure though, you need to check that water, because the immediate danger is the ammonia and nitrites if they are elevated, even more so if your ph is high. That will probably kill him off before any disease or parasite will. Lets treat the water chemistry aspect first and then move on to the body after. As Ally indicated, the black marks are a signature typically of ammonia. I'd like you to run a test to see what your readings are for both ammonia and nitrites.
2007-06-18 05:58:56 · answer #1 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like your Oscar actually has a disease often called Black Body. It attacks a lot of larger cichlids. there are medications to treat it. (there is some debate on whether it's a viral or an internal parasite) I would still really check your all water levels as this disease often only takes hold in the presence of stressed fish. Good Luck
2007-06-18 06:10:15 · answer #2 · answered by midraj 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Having an oscar for 9 years is a very long time. It could very well be the age of the fish or it could be some fungus. Was any other fish recently added to the tank? Because that fish could have carried a disease that killed the Oscar. I don't really think theres anything you can do except wait for him to die. I'm very sorry.
2007-06-18 06:53:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like some kind of fungus or something.
You should definitely try to find a vet who specializes in fish and call and ask, or take your fish.
2007-06-18 05:56:32 · answer #4 · answered by kb 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Body turning black is sign on ammonia poisoning/burning , I think he will die soon, Sorry
2007-06-18 06:01:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
9 years is a long time and if the water is correctly treated its age
2007-06-18 05:56:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
its probably age when he dies get a new one
2007-06-18 06:30:30 · answer #7 · answered by tkerbag 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋