Oscar half eaten but still alive.....some advice?
- Thread starter Jack_man_0424
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you could try pm'ing some currently online members who are experienced with medications and ask more questions.
I live in the middle of nowhere and even my lfs, which totally sucks, sells antibiotics for fish. (?)
Maybe a regular vet would sell you a few pills. but the fish probably can't overcome this.
All types of prey animals' survival depends on avoiding being EATEN, and are instinct-driven to hide weakness. It's their inborn drive, it does not "turn off", even while injuries alone are killing them. They continue to struggle right up until death.
This predation-avoidance drive is exactly why injuries are far more innately stressful to them than what we see, or understand.
I live in the middle of nowhere and even my lfs, which totally sucks, sells antibiotics for fish. (?)
Maybe a regular vet would sell you a few pills. but the fish probably can't overcome this.
All types of prey animals' survival depends on avoiding being EATEN, and are instinct-driven to hide weakness. It's their inborn drive, it does not "turn off", even while injuries alone are killing them. They continue to struggle right up until death.
This predation-avoidance drive is exactly why injuries are far more innately stressful to them than what we see, or understand.
Man some major trolling going on here. Good morning read.
OP, looking at your most recent oscar pic, it does not look like a bacterial infection. I would suggest against medicating. Many albino oscars have this black coloration around their fins. I may be wrong, but I suspect it is the body trying to regenerate. That is a good sign.
You seem to be focusing on the wrong thing here as you are thinking about medicating but not keeping your water crystal clear. The key here is to have absolute clean water. Looking at your pics, you still have gravel. All sorts of gunk gets stuck in the gravel & lowers the quality of the water column -- even if you gravel vac everyday. Again looking at your pic, your water quality could be better. Just go back, take out the gravel & do wc more often than normal. This will give your O a higher chance of survival.
To others, if a fish keeper decides to keep a fish that may be considered/looked upon as sub-par in some way, it is by no means a reflection in the ability or the inability to care for a fish. Actually you can argue that someone who is willing to go the extra mile to save a fish that seems to be at the brink of death, is a better fish keeper than most of us.
To the guy who posted the video of the bodiless fish being eaten, I second -- you are a douche & it brings absolutely no relevance to this thread.
best of luck.
framcosco, if he got the water pristine, do you think antibiotics would still not be needed or beneficial? just wondering...
ps, what I mean is, could meds actually be counter-productive for some reason?
Meds often -- can have the opposite effect than intended. Antibiotics are powerful meds and can put undue-stress on the fish. Higher stress can be the definitive trigger of no return for a fish -- especially one under these circumstances. If the resources are there, what I would recommend is to add a UV unit runned by a very low gph pump. If properly installed it will reduce the amount of bacteria (good & bad) in the water column -- thus reducing the chances of infection. The use of UV in the home aquaria is very controversial (at best) as it is not fully understood by many. IMO a UV can be very BENEFICIAL in this case. I still think the O can survive without a UV. The water column issue needs to be addressed ASAP.
Ignore these idiots Jack_man. You are doing the right thing. These guys are a fine example of people who shouldn't own fish. They are not in it because they like fish, rather in it to impress people. It is the same few people always in threads trying to argue with people. I wish they had lives. I don't know why they do it, i guess it gives them a false sense of power.
@ OP, I can't tell by a still photo if the fish is doing any worse or not & doubt other ppl can either. especially since framcosco said dark color near the wound might not be infection. video shows more about how the fish is functioning. like you mentioned concern about his breathing. vid also may show more about tissue, with multiple views.
I have use Maracyn and Maracyn 2 together for fish infections, worked everytime. And as some have said clean water is crucial.
Wow can't believe someone posted that video of a head to a fish saying this is similar. Honestly I will take some flamming hope best for the fish it will be hard to be able to put this guy in a community tank since fish are attracted to weakness because go to Walmart look for the skinny fish guarantee he is getting bitten.
Sent from my PG86100 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Sent from my PG86100 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
I hear what y'all are saying. Def gonna do the daily water changes and remove all the gravel tonight. Hopefully that helps.
I have a 65 gallon tank that just for the Oscar when he gets bigger and better.
I will try and take a video tonight for yall to see.
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I have a 65 gallon tank that just for the Oscar when he gets bigger and better.
I will try and take a video tonight for yall to see.
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
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