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Question
Hi Samantha,

I have a young oscar that has grown from about 1.5" at the time of purchase to about 5"  over the summer. The fish is kept in a 29 gallon tank, no heater, with an Emporer bio-wheel/carbon cartridge.

Several weeks ago the normally active and hungry fish stopped eating, turned a strange olive color and hung around the bottom of the tank. I did a gravel cleaning and 50% water change - at which point his bady slime seemed to be coming off in sheets. We went on vacation, and our fish sitter had no luck getting it to eat. When we returned, I noticed that he appeared to be blind, and I was able to feed him earthworms, but only by touching them against his nose. Then, things got worse when he developed ulcer-looking patches on his body, behind his head (not red, open sores, at least not yet)

I noticed that when the light hits his eyes just right, it looks like the back of his eyes are metalic copper colored. Not completely, but there is certainly something in there - which is probably why he cannot see well. He is eating, Hikari cichlid pellets, but I have to hand feed him (very smart, he now knows exactly where to go to get fed)

Last night I did a 50% water change, added Tropical Science Laboratories "complete Care" one step water conditioner, 1 TBSP aquarium salt/5 gallons, raised the temperature to 78F, and started treatment with Mardel Maracyn Plus (for mouth fungus, popeye, dropsy, and ulcers), after removing the carbon filter.

His activity is pretty good, and he shows a strong interest in eating - I am fairly confident that the improved tank conditions and Maracyn will cure his ulcers, but do you have any idea what could be causing that strange metallic color in his eyes? The outside of his eyes are clear, the pupils are black and not cloudy, its only if you look a certain way you get a glimpse of something coppery (and looks shiny) in them.

Thanks,

Scott

Answer
Hi Scott,
 Poor water quality, poisoning (Chlorine) or Eye Fluke is probably what is wrong with your fish. The one detail you left out that I was hoping to have was whiteish fil around the eye. If you need more information on diseases, I'll give you a site I used when I'm confused. http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Diseases1.htm
            I hope I've helped you,
                      Samantha