Oscar swimming off balance and has scrape on top

Question
Hello Richard.  I sent this question to Ron Coleman he has helped me in the past.

All Experts said it was moved to the question pool? Hello,

You recently posted a question to Ron Coleman in category Fish:

Hi Ron

I haven't asked a question in awhile.  I have an 8 yr old oscar in a 55 gallon alone. I'm setting up a larger tank.  am 0 nitrates .40 nitrites 0.  I do water changes every week. Last week he hit the top of the tank and scraped the top of his body, Its white.    Today I noticed some white on his mouth too in the pic but it doesn't look white when I look with a flashlight. Also he is staying in one spot at the top when he tries to swim down he bounces back up, he wont go to the bottom.  He is eating I've been giving him peas for 2 days. Any medicine advice to help the swimming prob? and the injury? I did a water change Thurs. 1/5/12.  I sent 3 pictures the top his entire body and front. Let me know that you got them please.

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Answer
Hi Ms Fran

I apologize that Ron was unable to assist you and that there has been a slight delay in getting your question answered. I prefer not to pickup where another expert left off so I can only answer your current question about your injured Oscar.

First, with Oscars, they really need more than a once a week water change. This is especially true if he's in a new tank that hasn't completed cycling yet. In my Oscar tanks, I do 30% water changes on weekends and another 15% water change on Wednesdays.

As for his injury and swimming problem, I would first try a Pimafix treatment for 7 days. Follow the directions on the bottle. All of my fish that have injured themselves on top of the tank or on tank decorations have recovered after a treatment with Pimafix. Pimafix is all natural and is safe for all fish. I would also add a little aquarium salt to the tank of 1 tbsp per 10 gallons of water. This will help relieve his stress.

Finally, if he continues darting around the tank and hitting the sides, the top etc, I would take out any large rocks and other hard decorations that he could run into until he calms down.

I hope this helps, good luck!

Richard