white cotton on Oscar fin

Question
QUESTION: Hi Ron

Im a long time person of questions on Experts.  You have helped me many times.  I have a 7 yr old oscar  who has white cotton looking stuff stuck to one outer edge on his fin. 1 Oscar one 55 gal tank.  First I thought it was just something from the tank that would fall off eventually this thing has been there awhile and seems to be getting larger.  All water conditions are good. I do water changes every 5-6 days faithfully. He is active and eating and doing what oscars do. any suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Fran,
 It sounds like a fungus.  Could he have bashed himself against something?   I would try one of the anti-fungal treatments.  I use a product called Paragon II, but that is really hard to get these days.

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


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


oscar with white on fi   QUESTION: Ron Im sending pictures. Is it a fungus? So far I cant find Paragon but they have Paraguard

thanks

ANSWER: Hi Fran,
 From the photo, it appears to be a very small amount of damage. Personally I would not treat it and just see if it resolves itself.  Keep in mind that most fish medicines can have seriously deleterious effects on fish so I use them only with great caution.  

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


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


white cotton on fin   QUESTION: Ron

The white spots are spreading now I see 3 more.  I tried to get a better picture.  I have fungus medicine called maracyn.  Or can you suggest something besides Parragone, cant find it. thanks

Answer
Hi Fran,
 You could try the Maracyn.  I notice also that he has some hole in the head.  Be careful that you are not overfeeding him such that food ends up rotting in the water.   Unfortunately, oscars are notoriously messy eaters.

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