Posted: 1/4/2009 10:32:02 PM EDT
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Odd question, but I'm desperate.
My young (about 6 months) oscar fish, Astronotus ocellatus, has hole in head disease and I don't know what to do. He has several lesions, some quite large all over his head; they dissipate and come back ever couple of days. He seems like his normal self, swimming around and begging for food whenever one of my family walks by. The Water temp is 82 degrees F with normal range water levels. I do not feed him live feeders, but the Hikari Cichlid Gold pellets. Also, we have been treating the water with Melafix, which contains 1.0% Melaleuca; a "experienced" guy at our local PetCo. told me that is would do the trick. Any help, that does not involve killing the fish, would be greatly appreciated. |
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you need to check your water parameters with a kit...
you need to make sure your ammonia and nitrites are 0 and your nitrates are lower than 20 (at least).... if your getting ammonia or nitriite levels then you need to do water changes... 25% a day for a few days.... then test again.... Hole In The Head is common in Oscars.... unfortunatey most of mine and the 2 i have now have it..... if you get your water dialed in make sure you do water changes in the future, at least weekly 10% or so, maybe 15%..... you O is young, 6 months... his holes should heal up as he grows...... you can use Melafix to assist with the healing but the water parameters are the most important thing..... |
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also, don't over-feed... only feed as much as he'll eat then clean up the stuff that remains.... i only feed mine once day.........
this is a good forum for Oscars.....read read read.... Oscar Forum |
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Definitely test your water, or take it to your local fish store and get it tested.
what size tank is it in? what kind of filtration? Any other fish in there with it? one of my Discus got HITH not too long ago. the best thing I have found to cure it is Metronidazole. you can buy it from Seachem, or most other makers have it in their own medications. just keep the water clean with regular water changes, and medicate. clean water seems to do the most good. |