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Hi, one of my oscars has got a couple of large white stains on its body. They have appeared in last two or three days. Plus, the two front fins are looking pretty bad. The one front fin (which looks like a thin fan) was always looking like it was ripped, but now the other one has developed a hole and a white crusting around the hole, I can describe the fins like an umbrella that has been ripped in the wind???? hope you can understand.
My tank is 200 litres, temperature 26C, both external and internal filters, air stone, living plants and Co2 diffuser (which is not in use all of the time) unfortunately I haven't got a kit to make a detailed water test as in the place I am living it is pretty hard to find. Water conditions are looking ok, there are no hard algae around and there are no other fish in the tank apart from a plec. Both fish are behaving normally and eating like hell! I am feeding them also fresh shrimps which are used for fishing bait and also Tetra Doromin sticks.
They are approximately 15 months old and approx 25 cm.
Any suggestions?

We really need the water conditions to make an informed diagnosis, but since you don't have a test kit.. Bad Idea in my opinion... Sorry.
I would do a 30-50% water change and keep an eye on it. You need to get a test kit.

when you say one of the oscars im assuming you have got two oscars in the 200 liter tank which is about 52 gallons. you need more like 90+ gallons two house two oscars. imma say thoes white spots are actually scales missing probably from fighting with the other oscar in the tank probably agression because tank is two small. and with that small of a tank and and two big fish your water cant be that good unless you got some crazy filter system and your carrying out lots of water changes!

Ok, I can imagine that I would need a bigger tank, but i still think this tank is big and very quiet and only 2 oscars in it!!! ( 110x55x45 cm sized tank) I cannot manage a bigger tank now. water test kit, i am checking on the internet but they look quite expensive ( about 100 GBP ) to be able to buy from here and it will take at least a week until it gets delivered here from Istanbul (I am on the south west coast of Turkey - pretty isolated).Any suggestions, or brand? Shall i use Contra-Ichthyo and some salt? Is there anything that i can do until then ?

Hello, what is your maintenance scedule?
How many water do you change and how often?
Usually in my tank when Nitrates are high for prolongued time, the first effect on the fish will be degeneration of the thin fins on my fish.

25 % in 2 weeks.

Well, you can expect to see you nitrates rocket through the roof.
I have a 180Gl tank with a 50Gl sump and still do 50% waterchange weekly.
With your size tank and the bioload you got an even higher level of tank maintenance may be needed.
Like twice a week 30% the least...
Do you use dechlorinator or a thing called Prime?

That's good to know. I use Tetra Aqua Safe after water changes. Do not use tab water, buying real drinking water in a big drums. so first thing tom. morning , i'll do some water changes.

that's cool.
Start with 30% waterchange, you don't want to strass your fish.
Upping your maintenance will quickly help your O improve, but must become a regular thing if you can't upgrade to a bigger tank.
Your fish will need that!

btw do you know islahiye, Gaziantep?
That's where my brother in Law is from!
Where in Turkey do you live?

i live on the west coast town called Dalyan close to Marmaris. Gaziantep is very far from here about 14 hours to drive.

That's quite a long way...
Well, my brother in law moved over to Holland 2 months ago, and now he'll stay in my lovely ,but cold country.
Loads of Turkish People over here.
I work with many of them, most have been here for a long time.
Keep us posted on your fishes progress!

good call noddy, agree with all said


x2 on the fact ya need a bigger tank too