hole in the head

Question
How do I treat my 13" oscars craters in his head.If I need meds, can I administer with other fish in the tank since he is too large for me to remove(I don't have a large enough hospital tank.)

Answer
Hi George;

Hole in the Head is actually a dietary and/or chronic water quality related problem so you don't really need medicine. It would be a waste of money. Just do more cleaning and a give your oscar a good healthy diet with added vitamins and minerals. Measure the levels of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates to see where they are. Ammonia and nitrite should always be "zero". Nitrates should be kept under 40 ppm at all times. If the levels are too high, make an immediate water change of 25% and vacuum the gravel. Do it daily until the chemistry is healthier. To maintain the healthy water chemistry, your tank needs a 25% water change and gravel vacuuming once a week, every week. If your tank is overcrowded or you have very messy fish, do the water changes more often.

Here are web links that explains what is going on and what to do to help him heal;

http://www.duboisi.com/diseases/hith.htm

http://oscarcichlidfanclub.htmlplanet.com/custom3.html

http://www.flippersandfins.net/HITHarticle2.htm

I he feels better soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins