Hi guys,

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted but life has been hectic.

I have a recurring problem with one of my Tigers.

Every few months it develops a swelling on its right side just in front of its tail fin. The swelling will last for a couple of days and then a solid white lump will protrude through. After another day or two the protrusion disappears and everything then goes back to normal until the next time. This has happened maybe 4 times over the last 6 to 8 months.

In the tank I have 2 Tigers, 5 Silver Dollars, 1 Pleco and 4 Clown Loaches. None of the other fish have displayed this at all and all seem to be in perfect health.

The tank itself is 6' (500 litres) with a 150 litre Sump.

I just noticed the swelling has started again so here are a couple of photo's:





I will take more photo's if it takes the same course as before.

I wondered if it was some kind of parasite but am surprised if this is the case why at least the other Oscar hasn't got the same.

Any ideas what it could be anyone?

before you say there healthy check your water conditions the first thought that poped into my mind was a dislocated bone but then you said it goes away id do some reacerch on google or something see if anyone else has had this problem post your watter conditions and ill leave it up to everyone else good luck

The only thing I can think(because I know your water is right) is that it is some kind of genetic thing... If it was a parasite, the other Oscar at least would have it... Seems odd to me!

I just checked the water parameters and got:

kH = 5
pH = 6.5
Ammonia/Ammonium = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 80

Obviously the sump is working well (zero ammonia and Nitrite) although the Nitrate is a bit high - I will do a 50% water change later today. I have just added a load of plants to the sump to help keep the Nitrate down.

So, I don't believe water parameters have anything to do with the swelling.

It could be a genetic thing as you suggest Nicki-Sue but it has me baffled.

well if it dosent seem to be effecting his health than i wouldnt worry about it you just have a unique oscar like the all of us

This is a odd one and has me stumped. As nicki-sue says your fish may have a problem that is not a disease but a genetic problem that cant be solved.

You need to keep your nitrates below 40 for a healthy oscar

OK, One day later and the swelling has increased slightly and you can just start to see the white 'fleshy' material poking through:






Not related but I checked the Nitrates again this morning and now reading 40 so I have just done another 50% water change.

Trekrider wrote:
[quote]
Obviously the sump is working well (zero ammonia and Nitrite) although the Nitrate is a bit high - I will do a 50% water change later today. I have just added a load of plants to the sump to help keep the Nitrate down.
[quote]

By no means to I mean to hijack your thread but this caught my attention big time. Plants in the sump? I have never heard of that before. Does this really work? What kind of plants? Where do you put them?

Sorry I have no advice on the fish issue... that's for the experts, I'm still a student! Good luck though....

Brooksie wrote:

No worries, just do a search on refugium on here (or on google) - I had a couple of spare sections in my sump and put plants in there. I understand it works very well but have only just added them myself.