What could be wrong with this fish?

Question

I have a red Oscar that just looks terrible he has deep pits on his head and is missing scales on the belly. I have two other fish in the tank an albino Oscar and a huge placo both are nice and healthy. Its decor is drift wood and natural rocks.

Answer 1

These deep pits are a Hole in The Head (HITH), a diease very common in oscars. There are many things that are though to cause this, and by fixing these things your oscar should slowly start to get better. The causes could be, environment, diet, and Heximita infections.

Environmental causes can be divided up into two major sub categories, those being water conditions, and stress. As a rule of thumb your ammonia should read 0, nitrites 0, and nitrates should be less then 40 ppm, and less then 10 ppm is ideal. Nitrates have been linked in some studies to the development of HITH where a fish is kept for long periods of time in water with levels exceeding 40 ppm. Stress can come in many different forms, but competition between tank mates is one to watch in the aquarium.

Diet is the most commonly accepted and supported cause of HITH. A link has been found between the development of HITH and a lack of calcium, phosphorous, and vitamins C & D. Many of the common fish foods sold in the hobby today are enriched with vitamins to make them more balanced, though supplemental vitamins can be added to them as well. Know the diet of your fish and be consistent, and varied. , Feeder fish should never be chosen as a primary food source because they have virtually no nutritional value. In addition feeders contain the enzyme thaimase which breaks down thiamine. Thiamine is an important vitamin and if you use feeders as a large portion of your fish’s diet it WILL develop a thiamine deficiency.

Hexamita was once believed to be the main cause of HITH, but has since been debunked as a major factor. Heximita is an intestinal parasite that can affect many tropical fish, interrupting the ability to absorb nutrients through the intestinal wall. It has been found in many cases of HITH however they are usually in the pits and craters formed on the outside of the body, and are largely a non parasitic species commonly inhabiting aquarium water, while the intestines are clear of the true parasite.

So here are the steps you need to do to help your fish.

1) Feed a balanced and vitamin enriched diet. Get your fishes diet back on track and supplement whatever pellet food you choose with vitamins twice a week.

2) Start doing water changes of at least 20% but not more then 50% every three days, usually 25-30% is sufficient.

3) Add 1 tbs of aquarium salt to every 5-10 gallons of water. It is important not to use table salt as it is treated, kosher salt, marine/aquarium salt, or any untreated forms of salt are ok.

4) Raise the temperature in the tank to 80-82° F. This will increase the fish’s metabolic rate and decrease healing time. Be sure not to raise the temperature above 84-86° F as this can cause undue stress to the fish and is not productive for healing, also do not raise the temperature with out first following steps 1, 2 and 3, as you will simply cause the HITH to advance at a more rapid rate

5) If all else fails or for very advanced cases it will be a good idea to treat the tank for Hexamita, follow the directions for dosing on the box, or bottle, and continue treatment for at least a week. Then go back to treating per steps 1-4.

Answer 2

Jesus ate fish? So what? you aren't any further Jesus. Jesus probable also ate poultry in certain situations, purely the disciples did not write a operating statement on his nutrition plan so it did not get stated. Does that recommend you should devour poultry? Admit it. Jesus has no longer something to do with it. you do not have a reason except flavor to save eating fish, you're searching for an EXCUSE. so that you latch on on your dad's comments about Jesus and fish. in case you opt for to devour fish, devour fish. it truly is a valid decision. yet no, you gained't nonetheless be a vegetarian. Vegetarians do not devour animals, no count what Jesus did.

Answer 3

The pits on his head may be hole in the head disease. He is most likely sick although I am not too familiar with raising Oscars. I would mabey put some salt in the water. Yes you may use table salt. I just dont know how much to put in if he is an oscar. I do know with betta though. Good luck ;)

Answer 4

the holes are a sign of bad water quality. you need to do more waterchanges.
Whats the tank size?