sick oscar need advice ASAP!

[bigty98]

Hello. I am new here. I have an oscar who is sick and I don't know what to do. It is small (purchased a couple months ago), the last few days it has been hanging out at the bottom of the tank. It has not been eating for about 4 days now. There was nothing visable until this evening when I got home from work. There is now a white "patch" (almost looks like cotton off of cotton ball) on his side. He is staying at the very bottom of the tank by the heater and does not look well at all. I have no chemicals of any kind to treat him with. I would be able to get something tomorrow if he makes it through the night. I have 4 other oscars and 2 algae eaters in the tank with him. I was wondering if I should try to put him in a different tank and if a "salt bath" that I always hear people talking about would help. I woudl appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Becky

P.S. I do not know water readings. Am waiting for a kit to arrive in the mail. These fish are in a 55 gallon aquarium. We have only had it set up a couple of months. Have not done any water changes, just topped off from evaporation.

 

[Rudy2860]

sounds like fungus
i would recommend an anti-funal med such as melafix
good stuff

 

[bigty98]

Thanks Rudy. That is what I was thinking too from researching on the net. Where would I find melafix? I have never used it. Like I said, if the fish even makes it through the night. I feel so bad....He looks so miserable. I was thinking about just putting him under...but my hubby is not home and I don't think I could go through with it. If he is still alive in the morning, should I get a small fish bowl and QT him? The other fish were showing some signs a few days ago where some of their "skin" was peeling away but I put the small mount of ick away I had and they all seem to be doing great now. They are all active and eating well. I just feel so bad for the little guy.

I am assuming that separating him tonight and adding regular salt would do nothing correct? I have heard of people using salt but not sure when or how it should be done. I am so new to the fish thing. Like one of the newbie posts said " It is easy right? Get tank and fish enjoy." NOT!! I feel like a stressed MOMMY.

 

[my_fallen_angel]

Sounds like fungus to me.
You sould separate him because other fish tend to pick on fish with fungus and kill them.

If he does live to the morning get something to get rid of the fungus and melafix.
You can use melafix with other meds.

If it is bad fungus my lfs always told me to put a drop of the fungus aid right on the fungus to help it along

I hope hes alright

 

[tstenback]

You also need to start doing water changes right away. This could be a reaction to the nitrate building up in the tank. I would start with 25% right away and then 20% weekly as a minimum until you get your kits and confirm everything is alright. HTH

 

[Vip]

I would put it down to your tank being over stocked really bad. ONE oscar is good for a 55g, your fish need a 150g. If the amonia doesnt kill them and stop them from growing, then there instints will, soon one of them will take control of that tank and kill off the others.
This white patch you are talking about, does it look furry? stringy?

 

[Vip]

I wouldnt do a 20% water change every week, i would do one everyday.
weekly wouldnt have to much of an effect.

 

[bigty98]

The fish are only about an inch along so DH thought he could get away with 5 of them. I also thought considering the size they can get that 5 was too many. As for the patch-last night it looked like a little gob of a cotton ball stuck to it. This morning, (he lived thru the night) it looks like it has started to peel off. Doesn't really look fuzzy anymore. I left him in the same tank last night but as someone suggested put him separate just in case the algae eaters or another fish is picking on him. It doesn't appear that is the case though as there is one fish that was staying right by his side and seemed VERY stressed when I moved the sick one away. I am going to town today and will see what I can find to treat them. Should I treat the whole tank Or take him out and treat just him? The 4 other fish are acting really spooked today but I thought maybe it is because of the little container that I added to the tank for the sick fish?

 

[Vip]

i would treat the whole tank, you never what you have in there, and if the ohers have got it as well.

 

[bigty98]

Thanks. I will head to town shortly and see what I can find. I will also change some water out today. I am surprised since I raised him higher to the surface in the little container, he appears alittle bit more lively. He even tried to eat a piece of food I put in there.