i have 2 oscar fish in a 40 gallon tank i have never tested the water but i have had them for almost 2 years and i fully clean the tank once a month. i have a black one and an albino oscar. my albino oscar is getting huge holes around his nostrils to where there is almost no nostril it is one big hole. whats wrong with him? i dont know the sex i just call him a boy. please help!!

Your Oscar has HITH, a usually fatal disorder, unless you act quickly to improve the fish's living conditions. 2 Oscars need at least a 90 gallon aquarium Also need is an incredible filtration system, and a weekly water change. Filter maintenance is important. I could tell you everything you need to do, but you will find all of the information by searching the forum.

well both of them seem like all they do is mope around they started doing it about a week ago. what does that mean?

I believe it's the poor water quality which could be causing the present symptoms. A plethora of ailments can arise from poor water, which includes parasites, bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. How soon could you provide a larger aquarium for them? In the short term you need increase your aquarium maintenance to 50% water changes weekly. Describe this monthly cleaning and what are your water parameters? Don't stress we will do all we can here to help, everything will turn out as it is meant to. Try not to worry too much and we'll find a solution.

when i do the monthly cleaning i remove some of the water and the plants and a bubbler clean them and then put them in a large bucket then i put my oscars in there then i remove the water and everything from the tank scrub everything then i put everything back in put stress coat wait a about an hour then put the fish back in

and i will not be able to get a larger tank soon my boyfriend just bought this tank for me they arent big at all though

A 40 is really only big enough for one Oscar and barley. Maybe you should just keep one. I know that sounds boring but trust me one Oscar can be plenty of fish, they get up to 16" and are very personable. Educate your self via this web site. This site is very informative. Research utilizing the forum and think it through and make a decision. Don't panic, everything will work out

Not trying to be blunt but if you can't get a larger tank soon you may want to consider a different kind of fish or at least only one oscar for now since the minimum size tank for only one oscar is 55 gallons with a 75 gallon being preferred. Two oscars in a 40 gallon tank is way too small. The problems you are having are due to water quality issues most likely as Codeman said. Also you are harming your tank by taking everything out to scrub it during your cleaning...your tank needs a biological filter of bacteria that grow in the tank to help the water become safe for the fish. As codeman stated you are going to need to do at least a 50% water change WEEKLY and are going to need to get a water test kit. These can be picked up at Petsmart or petco and run about $30...look for API Master Freshwater test kit...it is a good one.

What kind of filter are you running on your setup? Oscars require filters that are rated for double the aquarium size.

As Codeman said we are all here to help so take a deep breath and ask questions if you have them...and read through the posts and articles on this site...they are a big help!

well i dont really like my oscars they scare me i have a red belly paco that i would much rather have in that tank but i definitely do not want to euthanize the oscars that would be terrible but i dont know what to do with them and i want them to be safe but on top of the filter it says aqua tech 20-40

Ikkie has you from here, I have to depart, hope everything works out, talk to you later ikkie

thank you for your help i never would have known without you!

Have a good one Codeman! Talk to you soon!

laurenfoster wrote:


Maybe there is a pet store in town that could take them from you as a possible option? Also a Pacu gets WAYYYY too big for a 40 gallon tank...Pacus can get to lengths of over 2 feet long in an aquarium...so basically about twice the size of an oscar at least! Most people have tanks around 300 gallons of larger for Pacu. But if you don't want the oscars maybe call around to some pet shops and see if they would take them from you. Its an option if you are unable to get a larger tank. You could also look into fish that would be more appropriately sized for a 40 gallon.