HOW can I own an Oscar and not worry about HLLE?

[Redearsunfish]

here's the story,

I kept an Albino for 10 years, and had to deal with a strange form of HLLE, where he would develop deep holes in his head, not pits for the most part, but actual holes! I tried most everything, and they would heal, then come back.

I kept up on water changes, though I suppose I could have had better filtration, which I've significantly upgraded since. And I guess I could have tried a more varied diet.

Here's the meat of my question, I want to try again with another albino, but I don't want the stress and heartbreak HLLE delivers.

If I maintain an overkill approach to filtration and water changes and provide a good diet, without the use of feeders, will it be enough?

I'd love to hear your advice/input on this as i will base my decision on the advice I get.

 

[Wretched5705]

Assuming the tank the oscar would be going into is bigger than a 55 I don't see any problem with it in the end. They just create to much waste in a 55 and unless youre doing almost daily water changes it just doesnt cut it :/. good luck to you though! I love my albino oscars!

 

[Mac.]

Yes it will be enough..I have oscars and I give feeders once a month and they are guppies not rosies or goldfish (they are the culprits) I mostly give them pellets, bloodworms, and freeze dried krill. I do a 25% water change every week to two weeks and have never had issues with that. Good Luck

 

[Chromobotia]

I think filtration, diet and water changes are the way to go with an emphises on water changes. A hard core regiment of water changes will probably be key to keep the nitrates super low.

 

[k0y0te]

Oscar are very messy. big water changes help. For filtration you need at least 10x turn over for hob filters and at least 5x turn over for canistors. They should have a good varity in there food

Meaty Foods

Pellets
Shrimp
Krill (if freeze dry be sure to soak it in some tank water first to not cause swelling in the stomach)
Scallops
Clams
Squid
Crayfish
Crab & lobster
Fish - Cod, salmon, silver-sides, minnows, flounder. haddock, tuna just to name a few
Bloodworms
Brine shrimp
mysis shrimp
snails


Insects & Worms

Insect Larvae
Crickets
Meal Worms
Earthworms
Wax worms
(Always be careful they have not been exposed to any chemicals)

Veggies, Fruits & Nuts

Peas (frozen right out of the bag...no need to de-shell them)
Algae wafers
Bell Peppers
Zucchini
Squashes
Carrot's
Garlic
Mango's
Orange's
Pear's
Bananas
Blueberries
Papaya's
Peach's
Grapes
Spinach and leafy lettuce (not iceberg)
Peanuts
Pecan's

Feeding your fish many of these foods when they are younger will help not to have a picky eater when they are older.

IMPORTANTJust a note on beefheart and meats from warmblooded animals of what we buy in our stores. If you must and feel you want to feed beefheart or other meat, make sure they are organic. Research is now being done that animal meat that have been injected with antibiotic's and hormones can effect your fish. Many fish are becoming immune to antibiotics that we use to help cure common bacterial infections. Also my research showed that when the fish are younger 2-4 inches can tolerate it well but as they get bigger the fishes digestive system slows down and has a harder time breaking up the meat and possibly causing blockages and other digestive issues. But with that said as long as a well rounded diet, organic meat (personally I'd find other foods) is given your fish should not have any problems.

Martin A. Moe states ...Fish are cold blooded and all digestion reactions takes place at 70 to 80F, the temp of aquarium water. Thus they may not be able to efficiently digest or use the types of fats present in the flesh of warm blooded animals. They are much better off with the flesh of animals that are similar to their normal prey.

A few little tips when feeding...

It's always good to underfeed then over feed and always take out any uneaten food to help your water quality.

As your fish get bigger you will find you can feed every other day and or every 2-4 days.

Feeding a good pellet food that has whole fish rather then fish meal is always a plus. With the pellet food it is always a good idea to look at the vitamin levels. A good source of vitamins like C and B's will add color, energy and keep their immune system high. With that said if you do feed a lot of the foods from the above list you won't have to worry to much about the vitamins as they will get it from the foods.

Thawing and refreezing of seafood

From the Dept. of Health

Thawed - but Cold 45 Degrees or Lower

Fish and Shellfish - Yes can be refreezed - if odor is normal - If there is any off odor - discard

Also stated that it does deplete the nutrients but if thawed properly and refreezed in the right wrapping or container it's ok.

The recipes that have been posted can be modified and changed to your liking or should I say to your fishes liking

(info about feeding from www.theoscarspot.com )

hopes this helps