I apologise for posting the thread on the wrong page but I am new to this site! I have been keeping oscars for a number of years and I currently have two teenagers (1 red & 1 albino). The red one is sick! He isn't eating and he seems to have only one gill working! I have tried sea salt with little success. Have any of you good people any ideas?

Hi Kazkat

When you say "only one gill working" do you mean as in being paralyzed?

Is your fish displaying other motor problems also?

What is your tank size? What are your water parameters? Any other tankmates?

I don't know what is wrong with your fish but if this is the only observable symptom, then all I can think of is a brain vascular infarct. If that were the case, not much can be done except hope for the best.

How long since you noticed this sign?

I am just guessing.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Pepe

Thanks for your reply. The gill flap isn't opening or closing! I have only noticed this problem since this morning (some 12 hours ago). My tank measures 1200mm x 500mm x 600mm (350lts). My ph is 7.9 with nitrate 19. The fish has (I think) has had hole in the head disease in the past but was ok until today! He shares the tank with another oscar which doesn't have the same problems, and they get on really well. There are no other signs of motor problems in either of the fish.

Is the mouth opening ok? The only thing I could think of is a jaw problem,that could have happened while mouth locking or a stone etc stuck inside. i would inspect the mouth and jaw. I would even remove the fish from water to check. its risky as it may stress your fish and with one gill maybe a bit too much. it depends how much you want to find whats going on. There is always a vet,but i think its just too expensive for most people to take a fish. or hope it just gets better. I have seen myself and had other people with jaw and gills broken when mouth locking i cant see any other reason why it would just stop. if it was infected it would swell up? I guess lets see what others think maybe someone has an answer

Many thanks for your reply. My oscars' jaw was moving even though his gill wasn't working. However, I am pleased to say that this morning he seems an awful lot better. He is now eating, and his gill seems to be working ok (thank goodness)! My two oscars were sold to me as "teenagers" but when I contacted the seller he explained that these two fish had, in fact, been obtained from somebody else who didn't have a big enough tank for them (a very common problem I guess)? I think that the seller may have used some "artistic license" when he sold them to me, and I suspect that they may be older (and not as well) as he first made out! As an aside to this how do you tell the age of an oscar?

PS. I have called them Ying & Yang and they seem really placid fish.

really good news that things are improving. I would keep adding the salt to any water changes you do for a while. it may not be needed but dose help a bit. as for age I think once they reach 9 months to 1 yr there is little difference you will notice.

nice to know that your fishes are getting well.
perhaps, your oscars are just experiencing environmental
shock. what is important is that your fishes are taking some
foods. that is key to survival. if your fishes had been stocked
in small tank before, you will be surprise how fast they will
grow once put in a good size tank unless they are genetically
stunt.

additional reminder on salt. application should be based on what
you had replaced, not the whole tank capacity (if had been treated
once) salt does not evaporate and will remain in your tank until
you replace the water. whatever volume of water is replaced in %,
that is the amount of salt removed in %.

yang is not good today! HEs not eating only one gill working again, jaw is moving hes at the bottom of the tank try to swim but sink to the bttom again he's got bubbles coming out of his right gill and mouth at times please help:(

you could try a antibacterial treatment like melafix. but its just a guess as i don't really have much of an idea as to what, or why you have this problem. Adding a treatment may help but may make things worst or kill the fish as it will be having breathing trouble now. To add a treatment will make less oxygen in your water.

It sounds like it has some internal damage or disease. You may be lucky but it don't sound good I'm afraid. sorry I cant be of any help.

I just re read all your posts just to check I havent missed anything. You give PH,nitrates. but have you checked for ammonia and nitrites?? these can cause gill damage and breathing problems and are more harmful. if you have not checked do so asap.