Rescued Oscar need some help

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S

sazhar

Candiru
MFK Member
Dec 15, 2009
130
0
46
Yorkville, IL
I have never really liked Oscars. I thought they weren't that nice lookin and it seemed every tom, dick, and harry had one. Until last week when I went into my lfs and saw this guy sulking in one of their tiny holding tanks. He was looking very thin and neglected. Well I'm a sucker for a fish in need so one look and I had to take him home. Plus, my lfs let me have him for 10 bucks!

The previous owner fed him mostly goldfish and kept him in a 55 gal aquarium. How he made it to 13+ inches I'll never know. Anyway he has a bad case of hith. There are 3 holes. 2 are the size of pin heads and one large one behind his left eye. His nostrils are also looking kind of damaged. I haven't really looked at an oscar up close, so I don't know if they are normal or not. I have done research on it and switched him over too pellets (only took 3 days) and water params are good (0 amm,0 nitrite, 20ppm nitrate,7.4ph). I read the thread about hith and wanted to know if anyone has healed it on an oscar? I was also wondering if 20 ppm nitrates is low enough to help heal the holes? If anyone who has dealt with this could give me some advice, I would appreciate it. Here are some pics for reference.

oscar 1.JPG

oscar 2.JPG

oscar 3.JPG

oscar 4.JPG
 
try to keep nitrates as low as possible, but 20 should be good enough to get your fish to recover!
There will still be some scars, though.
But i,ve seen far worst cases, that healed in time, given pristine waterconditions and a healthy varied diet.

btw lovely fish, and except for the HITH he doesn't look that bad!
 
As mentioned, it's not really that bad. Just keep the water good and it'll heal up.

Oscars have huge personality, you'll end up in love with it.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Thanks for the help! I doubled my wc schedule to 50% twice a week. I notice that when he eats, it looks like half the pellet comes out of his gills. So I figured the increase in wc's was definitely required.
 
sazhar;4575893; said:
Thanks for the help! I doubled my wc schedule to 50% twice a week. I notice that when he eats, it looks like half the pellet comes out of his gills. So I figured the increase in wc's was definitely required.
Click to expand...
Yeah that the way they eat,huge mess makers.
 
good rescue. Like everyone has said just keep your water conditions good and healthy variety diet. You could maybe also try some meds. It doesnt look as bad as some have seen. Looks to be in first stages. Overall Nice fish bro and enjoy him. GL
 
Wow, great price, nice oscar. I agree, I have seen way worse cases, you got some good advice. Mine is just a baby. I can't wait until he gets big.
 
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