Disease? I have a sick Oscar. . .

Question
QUESTION: I used to have two electric blue ahlis an oscar and a sucker fish (pleco. . .something I can't spell it) But two days ago, I come home to find my male ahli on his back on the bottom of his tank with white blotches all over. He was fine the day before. So I put him in a seperate hospital tank, he died during the night. So I descided to investigate b/c the oscar that lived with him is my pride and joy (my baby!) and I lift up a huge (fake) plant that he always hid behind. And it looked like some one spit a loogie in the tank, there was a patch on the gravel that just look like mucus. I've never seen anything like it. I scooped it all out I think it was fungus. I cleaned the tank with the phyphon (I misspelled that) But this morning I realize that there is a part on O'malley (thats the oscar) where the color is faded behind the gills as though it's turning white. I removed all the plants that were in the tank. I really don't know what to do. I'm so scared. O'malley is my baby. I aksed the local pet store and they said it might be fungus or a parisite so I got the medication for the tank. And I've been treating it since Sparky died.

ANSWER: Hi April,
Before diagnosing the disease, I would have to know more.  Would you check your PH, ammonia, and nitrates please.  Would you tell me how big your tank is, and the temperature of the water.  This is very important for me to know.  Do you have live plants in your tank?

If it is fungus, you would see cottony, fluffy patches on the Oscar's skin.  They are white or grayish.  They are raised, and not flat.
Would you also tell me what medication you are using, as some medications are good for one disease, but not the other.

In order to help you, I would appreciate you writing back to me with more details.

I'm sorry you lost your fish, and hoping we can save your Oscar as we get so attached to these wonderful fish.
Thank you
Lynda

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QUESTION: I have a 55 gallon, the water is stays around 76 and I checked my water AND had the local pet store check it and everything is perfect exept the nitrate was a bit high but I did a water change. And its Jungle brand and its just for treating the tank. But I asked if it would hurt the fish incase there wasnt anything and the pet store said no. So I'm treating it just in case. But I'm going to do a water change today. He has also started puffing up his fins alot which isnt normal for him. He wasnt eating the day I found sparky dieing and he didnt eat the next day but thank god he's eating again. And I'm glad you understand my Oscar is my whole world I talk to him like I would a person and sometimes I think he understands exactly what I'm saying. If worse comes to worse I'm friends with just about everyone at the Feeders Supply in my area and they said they can keep him there to see whats wrong with him.

ANSWER: Hi April,
The only way to get rid of nitrates is through water changes.  Do water changes everyday until you get it down to safe.  I would put an air ball in his tank.  If he is puffing he seems to be lacking oxygen.  Nitrates will do that to fish if they are high.  I do not know the size of your tank, but I imagine it must be at least 60 gallons for him to be able to swim with ease.  Products to remove nitrates do not work.  The only way to get rid of them is through water changes.  When you have nitrates in your water it can lead to a PH drop which is bad for fish, and this leads to fungus or parasites.  If you have nitrates, then I think this is what happened with Sparky.  A drop in PH with African Cichlids may have caused him to die.  African Cichlids live in Alkaline water.  If your water dropped to acidic water, he got sick, and passed away.  Any drop of PH is not good for fish.  The same with bringing a PH higher...this must be done slowly.  
How high is your PH now?
An Oscar prefers neutral PH or slightly acidic.  They really shouldn't be in a high PH.  6.5-7.0PH is best for the Oscar.
Do a good water change, and check your nitrates, once you have it down to safe, do water changes every week.  You have to check this every week as this happens quickly, and it is better to prevent it.  I hope your Oscar pulls through, I know how we can get attached to them.  I had one for a long time, they are very intelligent.  I use to call them freshwater dolphins!!
Don't depend on any products to remove nitrates.  Only water changes can do that.  You could also change your carbon if you haven't done so in a while.
I was also thinking that maybe your tank could use another filter.  I don't know what filter you have, but sometimes one filter isn't enough, especially with an Oscar. You could add another one, and this would greatly help your water condition.
Wishing you the best of luck, and don't hesitate to contact me if you have more questions.
Lynda

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

QUESTION: My oscar just got a white spot on him. How can I find out what it is? And to make sure what it could be? Could it be linked to high nitrate?

Answer
Hi April,
Ich is white spots that look like salt.  Ich is always present in water, and will attack a sick or stressed fish.  Healthy fish are seldom bothered by it.  It is a parasite.  It can be caused by high nitrate, fluctuating temperature, low oxygen in a tank, cramped space, or fish that are not compatible with each other.  These things cause a fish to have stress, therefore their immune system is hurt, and it makes it easy for ich, or any other disease to attack your fish.
Ich is tiny white spots on the body of the fish.  It is easily cured with special medicine that you find at the Pet Store.  

If the white spot is raised, and fluffy, like cotton, then it is fungus, and that too is caused by bad water chemistry.  Food rotting at the bottom of a tank, will poison the tanks water, this is why water changes from the bottom is important.
You will find good Fungus Cure medication at the Pet Store if this is what he has.
You have to make sure that your water chemistry is good, no ammonia, check the PH, and nitrates should be safe.  

To get rid of nitrates there is only one solution, and that is water changes everyday until they are safe.

Seeing as your Oscar was sick, his immune system is weak, so parasites such as ich can easily attack him.  
He has to gain back his strength.  This means good water chemistry (very important) and a good diet.  Never feed your Oscar feeder fish.  These fish are full of disease, and your Oscar, if eating them will become sick too.  They also have no nutritional value.  A good pellet made especially for Oscars is very good for him.  "Hikari" makes good pellet food for oscars.  

If the white spot looks like a grain of salt, then you will have to treat for ich.  Follow the instructions on the bottle or package, and never stop the treatment even if the fish looks well.  Give him the full treatment to be sure that the parasites are gone.  Again, before treating your fish, make sure that your water is free of ammonia, and nitrates are safe.

Hope this helps
Lynda