Please help my Oscar has HITH

[Tiger Oscar Lover]

I've been trying to treat my oscar for days and I don't know if it's working. I've done a HUGE water change ( more than half the water ) and I got some metronidazole for my oscar . I got the metro from a local store, I followed the directions and I don't think it's taking any effect. I'm really worried cause I don't want it to get worse. So far there is only pitting on the part of his lateral line near his tail and 1 mark ( not that big ) on the side of his head. Is that really bad ? Also how long does it usually take for these things to heal, I heard it leaves scars I don't mind much. Any amount of help would be useful . Also his appetite has been really off .

 

[tlindsey]

Welcome to MFK Can you list the water parameters. How often do you water changes?

 

[Tiger Oscar Lover]

Welcome to MFK Can you list the water parameters. How often do you water changes?

I do water changes usually once a week but right now I do water changes 2 to 3 times a week I heard it helps

What do you mean by water parameters, sorry just haven't heard the term before. Do you mean ph and chem balances and stuff, sorry again I if this is a bit confusing

 

[tlindsey]

I do water changes usually once a week but right now I do water changes 2 to 3 times a week I heard it helps

What do you mean by water parameters, sorry just haven't heard the term before. Do you mean ph and chem balances and stuff, sorry again I if this is a bit confusing

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ph level is what I was asking when I mentioned water parameters. Do you test any of these? Yes water changes are very crucial for preventing HITH.

 

[Tiger Oscar Lover]

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ph level is what I was asking when I mentioned water parameters. Do you test any of these? Yes water changes are very crucial for preventing HITH.

Not very often but I have been trying to monitor it the last time I checked I think on Thursday the ph was 7 I asked people at some local pet stores and they said that was fine, I don't know if that's true or not . I've had him for 3 years no problems and this suddenly happened I think I should mention I used to give him feeders but I stopped when I found out it was really bad for them . Im not sure about the Nitrites and ammonia though .

 

[tlindsey]

The Healing of HITH will take time just do 50% weekly water changes and Nitrates is what you want to maintain as low as possible. Gravel vacuuming waste during wc's and don't over feed.

 

[Tiger Oscar Lover]

The Healing of HITH will take time just do 50% weekly water changes and Nitrates is what you want to maintain as low as possible. Gravel vacuuming waste during wc's and don't over feed.

Thank you so so much for your help !
I'll be sure to keep up with the water changes and keeping the nitrates low, I'm gonna start using my gravel vacuum more often thanks again !

 

[tlindsey]

Not very often but I have been trying to monitor it the last time I checked I think on Thursday the ph was 7 I asked people at some local pet stores and they said that was fine, I don't know if that's true or not . I've had him for 3 years no problems and this suddenly happened I think I should mention I used to give him feeders but I stopped when I found out it was really bad for them . Im not sure about the Nitrites and ammonia though .

I suggest you purchase your own test kit and do your own testing. You can always log in the test results on the pamphlet this will simplify everything. Also if you don't know about the nitrifying cycle just type that in the search bar above and there will be lots of info.

 

[tlindsey]

Thank you so so much for your help !
I'll be sure to keep up with the water changes and keeping the nitrates low, I'm gonna start using my gravel vacuum more often thanks again !

No problem that is what we are here for and I am happy you joined the Forum

 

[FreshyFresh]

You are going to need to do much more than a 50% WWC to heal this. Most oscar keepers do more like an 80% or fin level weekly water change. Some do more than one per week. You'll have to get a read on your nitrates like said above and maintain them so they never exceed 20ppm or less. HITH takes a long time to heal.