help! gasping oscar

[Austin]

my lutino oscar is sitting on the bottom gasping, all the other fish are fine. lost my massive tiger oscar (20") last year to these same symptoms. lfs say bacteria or something. help. this one is about 12-14" water parmaters are fine HELP!!

 

[qwesty]

What size tank and how many fish (and size of fish)? Also how much water movement do you have in this tank?

Are you treating with anything yet? You can try adding some epsom salt to assist with his breathing.

 

[Austin]

16" Silver Aro, 3 12" Oscars, 8" GT, 3" GT, 12" LSN

300 gal
-2 ac 500
-40 gal sump mag drive return-1200 gph

i always use a little rock salt with water changes

 

[rallysman]

Define "fine"

What are the specific results of the water tests/temp readings?

 

[Austin]

ammonia 0 nitrites 0 nitrates <10ppm

temp stays right at 80

i do at least 50% water change weekley

 

[navygirl76]

like rally said, what exactly are the parameters? ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? have you added an airline with airstone in there? id do that.. do you feed him feeders? is he eating? we need more info-

how does he look?

gasping makes me want to put more O2 in there, check the parameters with a test kit (not those crappy strips either lol) and possibly a waterchange..

 

[navygirl76]

hmmm parameters are great. how are his tankmates doing? are they stressed too?

 

[rallysman]

What is the filtration, is there a lack of surface agitation?

 

[HPIZZLE]

have you moved him recently or done a big water change or redid his tank or anything? this may sound silly but oscars dont like change.
i hope he makes it

 

[qwesty]

A mag 12 and 2 AC 500's in a 300g doesn't seem like much as far as water movement is concerned.

I would try adding a powerhead or some air stones and see if that helps