Need to know what this is

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
K

Kittyflower

Black Skirt Tetra
MFK Member
Nov 28, 2019
32
16
13
Have you tested your water?
No
If I did not test my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
Do you do water changes?
Yes
What percentage of water do you change?
71-80%
How frequently do you change your water?
Every month
If I do not change my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
Yes I know I have an algea problem. I've been battling for over a year but I need to know how to treat what is on the fish.

20201209_163910.jpg
 
Looks fungal to me and probably some HITH as well.
You do not test your water?
I’m thinking the algae problem as well as the fishes condition may be an indication that your water parameters are a concern.
I would strongly recommend you do some testing and get a base line started to get an idea of your maintenance routine is sufficient.
What size tank, filtration and stocking? Do you have another tank to move the Oscar to for treatment?
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey, FishBeast, kno4te and 1 other person
Not testing your water and doing once a month water change isn’t a good idea with oscars. As said above looks like HITH, oscars are susceptible to HITH is they are living in dirty water/high nitrates, and need clean water.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey and FishBeast
Only oscars are in the tank and I just tested the water and it is all within normal parameters. I just got some pimafix and im going to try that. Also the algae problem is constant. I will do a water change and have a bloom within the same day. I have changed the water once a week and still have not been able to get the algae under control. The tank is a 55 gal. The oscars are around 8 inches and I have the fx6 for filtration. Yes I know thats overkill but I would rather have higher filtration since I have a smaller tank. I have a 90 gallon system I will switch them to eventually.
 
Kittyflower said:
Only oscars are in the tank and I just tested the water and it is all within normal parameters. I just got some pimafix and im going to try that. Also the algae problem is constant. I will do a water change and have a bloom within the same day. I have changed the water once a week and still have not been able to get the algae under control. The tank is a 55 gal. The oscars are around 8 inches and I have the fx6 for filtration. Yes I know thats overkill but I would rather have higher filtration since I have a smaller tank. I have a 90 gallon system I will switch them to eventually.
Click to expand...
Would increase ur water change to biweekly. Add salt 1 tsp per g. Reduce ur light time. Reduce feedings to every other day for now. Recheck that water and tell the numbers. Gravel vac and make sure no left over food. Looking at the pics there’s something off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fishnerd360, tlindsey, FishBeast and 1 other person
Kittyflower said:
Only oscars are in the tank and I just tested the water and it is all within normal parameters. I just got some pimafix and im going to try that. Also the algae problem is constant. I will do a water change and have a bloom within the same day. I have changed the water once a week and still have not been able to get the algae under control. The tank is a 55 gal. The oscars are around 8 inches and I have the fx6 for filtration. Yes I know thats overkill but I would rather have higher filtration since I have a smaller tank. I have a 90 gallon system I will switch them to eventually.
Click to expand...
Oscars? As more than one. A 55 isn’t really right for even one Oscar once it gets some size.
The FX6 isn’t over kill. Yes it’s a large filter but it really depends on the bio load you are presenting.
The algae problem is most likely an indicator that the nitrates and phosphates are high.
Along with the increase water changes and gravel vacuuming I would reduce feeding and lighting until the algae problem is under control.
I would suspect that along with these steps the overall health of the fish will also improve.
Some actually test results will go a long way in getting good advice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fishnerd360, tlindsey and FishBeast
2 oscars. And we constantly leave the light off. There is no outside light thay reaches the tank either. I agree something is off but no matter if I do weekly changes the algea stays. I have had problems with it in 2 different houses neither of the houses had an outside source of light. The tank is bare bottom so I do suction out any debris but there is no actual gravel to clean. I can try to reduce feeding but they already fight over their food lol
 
There is something clearly not right here. You say, without posting any figures, that your test results are within "normal parameters". A monthly water change on that size tank with two sizeable oscars in, I doubt very much will yield "normal parameters". Which test kit are you using? Is it in date? Are you following the test instructions properly?

Algae, as shown in your tank, usually gets out of hand if there is intense light and/or an excess nutrient source. You're saying that no light gets to your tank whatsoever, not by aquarium light or an outside source? So your tank is in the dark all the time? Strange.

I've not really witnessed algae that bad before without there being an intense and prolonged light source. Maybe it's just down to excess nutrient in the form of nitrate/phosphate. That would bring us back to your "monthly" water change/maintainance schedule being inadequate.

There's lots of unanswered questions so far. As the thread unravels I suspect we'll get more detail and your situation will become clearer....and hopefully your water too!
 
  • Like
Reactions: FishBeast and Fishnerd360
Kittyflower said:
Only oscars are in the tank and I just tested the water and it is all within normal parameters. I just got some pimafix and im going to try that. Also the algae problem is constant. I will do a water change and have a bloom within the same day. I have changed the water once a week and still have not been able to get the algae under control. The tank is a 55 gal. The oscars are around 8 inches and I have the fx6 for filtration. Yes I know thats overkill but I would rather have higher filtration since I have a smaller tank. I have a 90 gallon system I will switch them to eventually.
Click to expand...
That filtration on a 55 is "not" overkill for oscars, and a 55gal tank is too small for even one 5.5" oscar.
And I agree with the others that recommend a more stringent water change schedule, in that small tank with the size of the fish every other day 50% water changes are needed to keep them healthy.
You say your test numbers are within range, but the diseases show the opposite.
To me any nitrate reading above 10 ppm, is chronically toxic for oscars and any substantial size cichlid, and is the primary cause of those disease conditions in your photos.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FishBeast and Fishnerd360
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom