Ok, some background


we got this oscar from petco, we had one previouse but died within three days so we got a new one. First he had Ich, just finished treating that with warmer water and some medication. I was doing the first water change after the treatment and noticed our fish had a "mark" for lack of a better word on his head. It wasn't there an hour before whn I fed him. I will attempt to show pictures not sure if its Hole in head or if he just hit it off a heater or something. He is in with 2 pleco's and a slightly larger blood parrot, he and the BP seem to get along well without any biting before. Water peramiters are a little off an am doing water changes more frequently now to adjust them. He eats fine and swims around like all is ok

Thanks in advanced

IMG_8181 by mwaterfall , on Flickr
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IMG_8177 by mwaterfall , on Flickr<BR>

IMG_8178 by mwaterfall , on Flickr
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IMG_8180 by mwaterfall , on Flickr

hey there and welcome.
The wound on top of his head looks like damage by hitting some decoration, judging from the loose flap of skin i see next to the wound.
just keep your waterparameters in check, and this should heal just fine.

just to be clear, he didn't have this damage yesterday?
HITH doesn't appear in such form overnight.
It's more of a gradual process.

there's some odd points on his gill plates, i'm not sure if that could be beginning HITH though, but keeping the water in pristine condition, should help clear this up as well...

Yeah I am positive he didn't have it day before or even an hour we have been monitoring him close do to the Ich. I am going to do water changes every few days to make sure the water is good. We are new to hobby have, but we already love this little guys and don't want anything to happen to him. Thanks

yeah, i looks like an injury to me too... but one thing
i have notice, the eyes is too big for the body... unless
there is some image distortion, your o is some kind of
malnourished.... just keep feeding him and will
recover soon....

mwaterfall wrote:


That's where it all starts, by loving your fish...
after that you'll start giving the proper care it needs, until it's healthy and very spoiled, i can tell you that much.

That not HITH, its a injury that will heal quickly with good water quality

What size is the tank he's in and what kind of filter are you running?

Also, have you tested the water

looks like your oscar bumped its head on something. This is very common with Oscars espcecially when they are juveniles. The members of this site will help you keep your water quality as good as you want it. Feel free to browse other posts to find plenty of info on waterquality; for this is the key to these wonderful fish.

Thank you everyone, he does seem fine and now my heart is back where it should be...lol.

Tank info

55 US gallon
ph is a bit high arouns 7.0
ammonia is the problem was high but doesn two water changes in two days and its gone down dramatically and I will be doing another water change today. all other tests are good.


Marc

EDIT: forgot about filter - right now just a hang on back for a 60 gallon, we are upgrading to a canister for about 100 gallon within next few weeks.

Keep up with the water changes--Im betting you just have a scrape there and not HITH. With good water quality the wound will completely heal very, very quickly.

You are probably going to have to rehome those other fish though at some point as the oscar grows-- 55 gallons is minimum for one oscar by itself--sooner the better if you can swing it..I would run the canister and the filter you are using currently together and that should be more than adequate filtration.

mwaterfall wrote:

adding that canister to work in combination with the HOB you should be in good shape. Waterchanges are the key. I look forward to future healthy Oscar news from you.