look like bugers in nose

Question
I have three oscars two albino one regular one of the albinos have something like plugs are ate out of its nose what is wrong with my fish

Answer
Good evening Janetta, thank you for your question.

Your oscar has HLLE, or Head and Lateral Line Erosion, also known as hole in the head disease. It is caused by nutritional deficiencies and/or poor water quality. Three oscars need a 90 gallon tank as adults, a single oscar needs at least a 55 gallon. So if these are full grown oscars, keeping the water quality up will be difficult in a tank smaller than 90 gallons. Use or purchase a test kit (preferably liquid) and see what your water tests at. 0 ppm of nitrite and ammonia is the only acceptable level - any ammonia or nitrite that is detectable is toxic, and must be brought down by executing water changes of 50% or more. Always use dechlorinator to make your tap water safe.

Diet is another big factor. Feeder goldfish will eventually make your oscar sick. If you are feeding him feeder fish, stop doing so and instead feed shrimp or worms from Zoo Med's Can-O series. You will probably find these in the reptile instead of fish department of your local pet store.

Ask your local fish store for a vitamin supplement such as VitaChem, and soak your oscars' foods in several drops of vitamins, once a day, for the next couple of weeks.

Vacuum the gravel and change the 15% of the water every day or every other day at least - water quality is going to be as essential as good nutrition for your oscar to recover. Only one is sick now, but they are all at risk, because HLLE is an environmental disease and all three oscars share the same environment. Here's more about this disease:

http://www.petplace.com/fish/head-and-lateral-line-erosion-hlle/page1.aspx
http://www.worldcichlids.com/diseases/Adamhith.html

The second web page has a recipe for homemade oscar food. A varied diet high in Vitamin C will help your oscar considerably with recovery. Good luck with this tough to treat condition, and feel free to write back anytime.

Nicole