Please help with any info at all guys...
My partners oscar as been acting out the past few days and after it's episode tonight became almost white in colour (still is) cannot stay upright or swim although it's trying too so my partner is holding him upright and mimicing swim sensation to keep him going at the moment. His breathing is very laboured as well. I have taken the following actions as told to me by an exotic vet specialist but of course he can only suggest so much as it is not possible to get the fish checked.
I did find the pH to be acidic and have rectified this problem, our filter contains activated carbon and water changed a week ago. we use stress coat and cichlid trace elements when doing changes and always use a gravel cleaner. Upon advice have use some aquarium salt to aid in the laboured breathing and also added the recommended medication to the tank (metronidazole) but am sure if we stop supporting thr fish to mimic swimming he will die... is there anything you can tell me or suggest to do ????
My partner is pretty upset as he almost lost it to HIH a few months back.

Sorry you're having to use the website for the first time under these circumstances.

The first thing you need to know is what your water conditions are. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrates and pH. How big is your tank and what sort of filtration have you got? Has your fish stopped eating altogether?

I'm wondering if he may have a problem with the swim bladder. When fish develop this sort of problems, they cannot maintain stability in the water. The laboured breathing is not a good sign. I'm not sure if salt is going to help. From my personal experience, laboured breathing often points to serious health problems, although it can often be as simple as lack of oxygen in the water so check where the water comes back in from the filtration, make sure there is plenty of surface agitation.

Personally, I would remove the carbon. Carbon is used to remove impurities from the water If you medicate your tank whilst you have carbon in the filtration, the carbon will filter out the medication. I never use carbon in my filters, a large water change after medication is all that is needed.

Fish are notoriously difficult to treat, there aren't many vets who can help unfortunately. When fish develop internal problems as I suspect with your fish, nine times out of 10, there's nothing we can do.

Thanks heaps for you reply..... My levels are fine except the pH was acidic but have adjusted that and removed carbon now. we are unfortunately having to let the fish go to its own devices so at the moment he is laying upside down still laboured breathing and pale so added some extra soft water flow where he is to try make him comfortable.

I've got to be honest with you, I really don't know what's wrong with the fish, I don't think anyone could give you a conclusive answer. By the sound of it, your Oscar is in a very bad way and more than likely beyond help. What did worry me was the fact that you adjusted your pH. What was your pH before, and what is it now. What is the pH that comes out of your tap water?

i would try lots of oxygen in the water as a start ????

Given the condition of your fish i would consider putting it out of pain. Its never nice and is always a hard choice but only you can decide if it looks like it will pull through. there is a article in the home page for a pain free solution using clove oil.

when you say your waters fine can you post the results and have they always been in this condition. the fact your fish has had HITH leads me to think at some time you have had other maintenance problems?

As a last ditched effort you could try a 50% water change just in case your problem is water related but I think from the sounds of it you don't have much hope. Sorry.

Thanks everyone for your replies..... My partners oscar didn't make it and because of the time difference between here and you guys I didn't read any replies until now. pH was 6.6. It's frustrating that we could of done something for it earlier because he was in distress for a few days but my partner looked up on the net and most info he found was that it is normal behavior until I read this forum.
I will definitely use this place to discuss further fish as you guys are really helpful. Thanks again

Really sorry to hear about the Oscar. For future reference, your pH was okay. If you haven't got a good knowledge of water chemistry, I would strongly advise you not to try and adjust the pH. Oscar are okay with the pH between 6.0 and 8.0. It's also good to know what the pH is straight from your tap. The pH from my tap is 7.0 which is neutral. However, fish waste will drop the pH considerably. After a week, my pH drops between 6.0 and 6.5 but a water change brings it back to 7.0. So in other words, whatever comes out of your water supply will govern your pH.

sorry to of your loss. now that your a member here, and decide to keep oscars again, just ask any question you have and im sure someone will answer them for you as sooon as possible

sorry about your O....i seccond necro..