Oscar body scraped trouble swimming

Question

Oscar   QUESTION: 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 only for 2 days. Any medicine advice to help the swimming prob? 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.

ANSWER: Hi Fran,
  I would not be overly concerned about the white.  It appears that he just "scraped" himself, analogous to a scrapped knee.  The fact that he can't go to the bottom is more of a concern and may be why he hit the top of the tank in the first place.  It might indicate that he is having trouble with his swim bladder or possibly his intestine.  I think feeding him the peas is a good idea.  Are you seeing any feces coming out of him?  If so, are they white?

-- Ron C.    
   rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
   Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Oscar being an Oscar   QUESTION: Ron thanks you so much I really appreciate your advice.  Today he is swimming around normally and eating.  I haven't seen any white feces yet.  I will take notice. Tonight he was head down for awhile seemed like gas coming out. But he is swimming normally now.
This is him this morning.  He is focused (not in the corner) hungry and acting like a doggie boy

Could the head bump on the tank cover be because of the tank size?  he is getting large and its hard to turn around. So no treatment for the injury it looks so sore. I will do more water changes.  Thanks so much for answering.  He is my boy and part of my family, such a great personality. I cant lose him. The other oscar is doing fine he is in a 75 gallon.

Answer
Hi Fran,
 The tank is not enormous but it is not tiny either, i.e., it should be large enough for him provided you keep the water clean.   

-- Ron C.
   rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
   Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>