Hey, I was feeding my 5 inch oscar a couple days ago, and he got a little overzealous and instead of going for the food that I just put in the water, he went for my hand that was 8 inches above the tank. He did manage to get my hand, but he also managed to go flying out of the tank and thudded on the tile floor about 5 feet below. Of course, I immediately got him back into the tank, but his one side is pretty scraped up, as we have stone tile. For about a day, he did nothing but lie on the bottom of the back of the tank, constantly changing colors. Now he acts normal, but he still has some scrapes on his body. Any suggestions for how to get them healed up? Is that even necessary or will it just happen on its own?

Thanks

Just keep the quality of the water good, maybe extra good and do an extra water change here and there but for the most part he will probably heal up just given time. I'm sure Penn has had a similar flying Oscar episode too in his enperience.

That's basically what I figured I had to do, and that's what I've been doing. Thanks, though.

I gotta admit, it was pretty cool seeing that fish fly through the air, but it was also the most sickening thud I think I've ever heard when he hit the ground. I'm just glad I was right there when it happened. I've already found my dragon goby who tried carpet surfing when I wasn't around, dried up next to the tank.

Ken pretty much said what I would say in this situation. Some wounds look really horrible but I have found over the years Oscars do heal up remarkably well. But like what has already been said, this will only happen if the water is in good condition. I suppose you could compare the fish world to the human world really. If you had a really nasty cut on your hands and you lived in a filthy environment, the chances are that it wouldn't heal very quickly, in fact it would probably get worse with infection. The same goes in aquatic environments.

You have found out the Oscars jump. Don't worry, I have yet to come across an Oscar that won't jump for food. Oscars are very greedy fish, they like their food and if they know they are going to be fed, they are very eager to get it. It won't take them very long to get used to hand above the tank so they will jump at something that they recognize, especially if it is associated with food. You will find that they will calm down as they get older, although they will come out of the water given the chance. Don't give them the chance to jump out of the water, don't give them any excuse to jump , such as holding the food half a foot above the water.

FOUND THIS TODAY, THOUGH IT WAS INTERESTING:

Mr. Personality. New oscars pout. They lie on one side and look up at you with one untrusting eye. They’ll do the same if you redecorate their tank or move them to new quarters. When you net your oscar, expect to get a free shower. Some thrash so much they “foam” up their net. When you put him in the new tank, he’ll extend his hard rays and make it difficult for you to get him out of the net. Just like a freshly hooked bluegill. Don’t touch him unless absolutely necessary. His top and bottom fins are “stabbers.” You will find this out the first time you try to pick him up after he jumps out on the floor. Use a wet net, not your bare hands.