First, let me praise this site. Fantastic. As a new enthusiast the information and help here were fantastic in my decision to get involved and how to proceed.

Now, the troubles...

Here's what I've got: a 55 gal. tank with two tiger oscars. One large-ish and the other small (see picts). I have a Biowheel 350 that I run with all four filters installed for extra filtration, which I change ever two weeks. I do one water change a week where I change 20 gals.

I've had the tank since late August. I've tried some live plants, but though I like the look the light problems seemed too great to surmount. I found myself scrubbing them all the time for algae and ruining the leaves and constantly pruning. Anyway, I recently replaced most of the live plants with some fake ones. "Smoochie" and his little brother "Onster" like to swim in and out of the plants, fake or not.

About three weeks ago, I decided to add a large piece of driftwood anchored by a piece of slate for interest and to give them a hiding place. At the same time, I changed their food for just two days. They've been getting the Hikari Cichlid Gold since I got them. I tried a "New Life Spectrum" product recommended by the aquarium store just for variety. Both were a little confused because that food floated. Neither liked it very much. And then both went off the food for about a day. I stopped immediately. I also removed the driftwood for a couple of days.

The next day, both took large poops that I noticed. Smootchie took a little longer to recover, but was back to his normal self after a couple of days. I did a change at the beginning of the week after about 9 days of no water changes (because of a holiday). The water was a little cloudy and the algae was a little more noticeable than normal, but nothing too bad.

Smoochie was moodier than normal. Hanging out behind things, not really eating like his normally piggish self. I did the change and then he was back to normal, swimming, interacting, and eating.

But I noticed the holes/scars. His behavior seems great. He has been eating well (as much as I feed them) for the past four days, but the scars seem not to be improving that much.

The levels are great. I test before and after changes. And they look great. Nitrate (20), Nitrite (0), Hardness (75), Chlorine (0), Alk (40), ph (7.2).

So I'm inclined to think that it's a bit of stress that's causing Smoochie's HITH. I got his little brother after having Smoochie for a few weeks. Smoochie was a little shy and hung around at the bottom not really eating. But after Onster came on the scene, it was a happy place. Swimming and chowing down.

They generally get along great. I have seen little Onster back Smoochie down once or twice where they're both facing each other with mouths open trying to back each other down. I've witnessed no violence.

I know the tank's probably too small for two. I was planning on getting a larger one (75 gal minimum) for home. This tank's at the office. But perhaps I should get that other tank sooner and move one to the home tank to reduce Smoochie's stress.

I'm also considering another filter. Another Biowheel's cheap, but Petco's got a Rena (I'm not sure which one) canister filter for larger tanks on sale.

So, should I stop by the aquarium to get some meds? What do we think? Thanks again for all the help you've provided so far.

todd

I'm trying to upload some picts to illustrate what's going on. This attachment is hidden for guests. Please log in or register to see it.

Sorry, I'm having trouble embedding these:

http://picasaweb.google.com/tfmaxman/Smoo#5260796527012745490

http://picasaweb.google.com/tfmaxman/Smoo#5260796538710787858

http://picasaweb.google.com/tfmaxman/Smoo#5260796538710787858

First off let me say by welcome to the site.

Now for your problem and from what I have done too.It seems like your alge problem is whats making your lil one nervous or something to be around in the tank with.Your 55gallon seems good if you have that good of filtration going and having to do them water changes weekly which is good but,I'd stay and do the changes to almost every two weeks.Also by adding new things into the tank I'd take the fish out and let the tank do it's cycle for about 15-20min to where you have to is a days worth.But,I do the 20min with the fish out where I wash and clean the wood then put it in and sometimes when I do I just leave the fish in too.

If you need to and I strongly sugguest it buy a 10-20 gallon tank fill it about half to full and buy some,Melafix which will help heal and raise the temp to about 86F and keep that fish in there for about few days.If you see the spots and the white specks gone then you can return it into the bigger tank and when you do,put some Stress Zyme or Stree Coat both will work great for the fish while back into the tank since when you net the fish they loose some nurtrients when handled by the netting process.

Also every time you add new water put some of that stuff in or water treatments when water changes occur because when that happens when I've done it to my tanks,I see a difference when I don't add the treatments to the tank after water changes.Once you do that I think you should be in good shape and won't worry about changing water weekly where you can to almost bi-weekly or maybe longer if you have that type of filtration going.

Plus with that canister filter for a bigger tank would be great too but,keep a power filter or two as well for better bio-logical filtration.Then you wouldn't have to do water changes to where it would go for a month to change the water since I have now been doing that,I don't have a canister but,two 400 Penguin Filters going,with undergravel filrtation,plus a few air bubbles too.All that in my 120gallon tank.Having that for me works but,do what you need to do that you think for your bigger tank.Both can be housed in the same tank so bringing one home could be where it keeps going to the side while just sitting there so if you do buy another tank mate or same kind of,Oscar where they won't be bored.My Oscars are like my pets and are like somewhat dogs so just watch for stressing out fish and good luck

I have had a look at your pics they are not that clear. At first sight I dont think its HITH as there are no marks on front of head but most seem to be around the gills. This is a very common place for another fish to bite when one backs down. I am not totally sure on this as the pics are small. Are there holes or just white skin marks?? It could be bullying wounds.

keep watch on a mark away from the rest and see if it starts to clear. HITH take wks to heal if it miner wounds they should start to heal quickly or show some improvment in a much shorter time.

Here's a link to larger pictures. Thanks for the quick replies so far.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tfmaxman/Smoochie#

Here's the best picture so far.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tfmaxman/Smo...#5260816071295551170

I'm intrigued by the bullying possibility (but not happy about it). This would be a case where a smaller but definitely more aggressive Oscar bites the larger one - mostly on the forward bottom part, under the chin around the fins and gills.

What do people think?

For me it's more of my bigger Oscar,Tantrum that does the bullying but,it's only in fun that I can see.If there's any type of biting the lil does it to get it on that part.

Ive had another look, and I Think its biting marks. This is because the place they are sited. Under body,fins and gills. This is prime attack area in small battles. How long have they been there and are they clearing at all.

your waters in good shape, and as you know, water,stress and diet play a part in HITH. You could try a egg carton partition to keep them apart but again this may not be the best way to do things as bullying may start again after. I would see what others say and while you wait keep an eye and see if biting in this area is a possibility

Ho how I wish the OFL was here.....
The big boss is very ill in hospital at mo for thoses that dont know.
I miss his input very much.

firstly welcome to the site

now from your pics im not sure its hith but there is definetly soome thing going on in your tank. try watching them to see if there is actual fighting going on. to be on the safe side i would keep the nitrates down below 20 at all times and if it is hith this will help in curing it. if its not then you have nice clean water for your fish.

now as for the filter i would definetly go for the canister and not another marineland hob. i know lots of people use them but imo they are not suitable for oscars at all. and if you get a big enough canister(like an xp3 or xp4) you will be able to use them on your next tank cause 55 gallons is definetly not big enough for 2 full grown oscars. personally i think even a 75 is to small you should consider going for something in the 110 gallon range

good luck with the oscars and keep us posted

Here's an update:

Water levels are great (nitrates below 20 ppm). I got a separator for the tank because I'm suspecting the bullying more now that I saw an incident where the little guy (Onster) rushed at the big guy (Smoochie) and nipped him under his chin by the forward fins.

Smoochie does have some small holes in his fins, so I'm not sure the bullying is all of it, unless the stress is causing these.

Anyway, Smoochie's behavior is great. He responds when I come up to the tank and is eating well. I'm hoping with the good water and protection from the harasser he'll recover.

I'll keep everyone posted.

In the meantime, I'm trying to purchase a tank for home to make the separation permanent. I've got my eye on a 90 gal tank and filter that used to be used for salt water. Is converting a problem? The filter's a Rena XP3. Do I just scrub the tank and filter and get new media for the filter?

Anyone have experience in this?

Is the damage clearing. I know it will take a few wks to go complete but you should notice some improvement. you are right if one is being bullied the stress can also make things worst.

Even with a larger tank the fighting may not stop and you could end up with 2 tanks or re home the aggressively one. Good luck