I have two ablino oscar. One of them is fine, but the other is intermitantly shaking and has body and scale damage. I started off with 10 gallon tank and I did not realize how quick they grew. I had to admit they have been living in poor water condition. I moved them to the bigger tank, 38g, two days ago. I went to the petsamrt to do the water test, and it turned out the water quality was fine for my fish. I have been using the wound treatment for three days, but my oscar is getting worse. I am a noob. Please help me and tell me what I should do to save my oscar. http://

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Hey there, and welcome.
Glad you found the site, now lets see where we start.
As you found out Oscars grow fast and you will need a bigger tank quickly.
To keep 2 Os happy and healthy you will need a bigger tank, say at least 100+ Gl.
They are messy fish and will polute the water real fast if they're kept in smaller tanks.If you rehome one oscar you still need a bigger tank.
First we need some testresults, for the LFS will allways tell you that waterquality is fine. If you provide us with the test results for Ammonia-nitrites-nitrates and pH we can give you specific advice.
You say 2 days ago, then i have to ask if the filter you use was cycled before the fish got into the new tank. Cycling may take 5-6 weeks...
If the filter is not cycled properly, the fish will suffer from the toxins in the water.
What kind of filter do you have?
IMO the best wound treatment is pristine water condition and a varied diet.
Did you use prime/dechlorinator before you put the fish in the new tank?
lots of questions, but the answers will help your Oscars.

it could be a sign of aggression shows by one oscar. Observe them and see if one attacks the other. if the other is too aggressive then consider seperating them. If she is damaged then adding salt (about 1 tea spoon per 5 gallons) should beable to reduce the healing time. Oscars can become aggressive for the following reasons

1> Its in their nature
2> Bad water conditions
3> If something is not the way that they want.

DO a 30% water change and see if that helps.

To stop aggression for a few day you can scare the oscar with a net... it will just have its effects for a few hrs.... oscars are known to kill tankmates.... i have been a victim of it... so please take precaution before you loose your fish.

Get some hiding spaces and try and keep the lights off.

The injured oscar will not eat so dont worry.... she may start eating in 2-3 days time. But then also try and put some food around her.

All the best... hope this helps

v_2rahjo wrote:

3add on: like cramped livingspace...
Aggreed on the waterchange, but i wouldn't add salt just yet.

welcome to the site - it maybe the photo; but your water looks like it's pretty cloudy... could be an indication of a bacteria bloom in an un-cycled tank.

you've come to the right place to try and get this sorted out

welcome on board.

is the white spots the damaged of your fish? i looks like injury to me from
fighting due to limited space. any idea how big are your fishes?

yes, your new tank is cloudy, a sign of bacteria bloom. when you move your
fish, did you transfer the existing filter from the small tank? or did you
install a new filter pump?

Your tank is cloudy- a new uncycled tank will go like this. Can you test the water cna post the actual results please. In the meantime do daily 25% water changes.

You still need a bigger tank, 55g for 1 oscar, 75g for 2 (these are minimums and will require a lot of maintainence to keep the water good)

I went through exact same water problem in the beginning. I can tell you right now what your problem is....

Tank is too small and underfiltered. You water will never be right because you are undergoing an constant bacterial bloom since there is such little space and not enough filtration for two Oscars which are the MESSIEST fish ever..LOL. Your levels are always increasing everyday because of lack of filtration and space and it cause the nitrates to continually produce to control the ammonia and nitrites and this is going to end up killing those fish,

Theres no way a 38gal is good enough and it looks bow front which is even worse for big fish like Os. They will have stunted growth from such small quarters that it will become painful for them since the internal organs will still grow.It shorten the life span too.

You really have to get a bigger tank and canister filters are the absolute best with tons of ceramic rings or other bio-media and good mechanical pads for a polishing effect.

Good luck and we have all been there will new Oscars. Im sure you want whats best so get a bigger tank of rehome them if you can and get two smaller cichlids if you want to stay with they type.