Oscar wounded....questions., please help if you can

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
PDRed302

PDRed302

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2011
1,521
90
66
Fort Worth Texas
Moby.jpg

When I got home this evening I noticed that my albino Oscar had a rather large gash on his head (see pic). Now I know that it is common for Oscars to beat themselves up being clumsy and even fight amongst one another. I have two Oscars and the one in question is the smaller of the pair but the damage done is more than anywhere close to what I would call normal. Not that it is normal for them to have wounds but like all Oscars they tend to have those days where they just don't get along. My main concern is that this is a wound and not some type of sickness or infection and I was hoping that someone on this board could clarify that question for me.

Either way, wound or sickness, I would like to know how it could best be treated either by medication (what kind), temperature, etc.

Also, if it is a question: This pair has been living together for around 8 to 10 months and they have never caused this type of damage to one another.

Also noted: I do not have a current hospital tank as I am currently using it as a grow out tank so moving him isn't an option.

If needed, tank setup is as follows:

125gal freshwater
PH/Nitrites/Nitrates (good but I have not tested them today)
water temp 77 f.

Stock List:

1 Albino Oscar
1 Tiger oscar
2 Gold Gourami
3 Spotted Silver Dollars
1 Common Pleco
1 Goldfish, I still do not know how he survived

Moby.jpg
 
just let him heal and watch them more carefully, if you cant watch them make a divider and put him on one side of the tank till it heals up. IF its a disease, it will get bigger or more blotches will appear then you know you must take a more severe action.
btw its a nice looking O
 
Thanks for the advice and the compliment, from what I have seen of them today, they seem to be acting very "buddy, buddy". I'll keep an eye on him to make sure he keeps healing up (looking a bit better today) and also watch for any signs of infection. If it does keep up and I do verify that they are wounds I guess I will have to add a divider for a short period of time.

Also, if anyone else thinks they may be something more to it, feel free to chime in.

Thanks again
 
Clean water
MELAFIX
Possibly aquarium salt too
Keep the temp up so he doesn't stress out and get ick

Good luck - melafix has always worked for wounds in the past. Smells a bit strong, but it works. Follow the directions.
 
Agree that it will probably heal on its own just fine. A couple of extra water changes are fine, but probably not necessary if you have been on top of it.
 
Staying on my current 25% a week cleaning and changing schedule. Also added vacuming 2 or 3 times a week to the mix. Wound is healing up but will probably take a bit more time, raised the temp to 78, too much more and my other fish will get mad at me :)

Debated adding Melafix and salt, decided against treating him with medicine unless he stops showing signs of healing, added a small amount of aquarium salt.

Will post update when he starts looking all the way better.
 
My oscar runs into stuff all the time lol... but they are quick healers with superficial wounds like that one. He'll be fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom