tank parasites?

Question
hi, my tank has been set up about 1.5 years.  it is 55 gallon fresh water.  i have 2 oscars, one is relatively old, hence he is about 12" long, & a new albino oscar that i just got today.  i run a magnum 350 & an aqua-tech power filter (30-60) due to the fact that oscars are sort of dirty fish. the ph is ok, i'm not too sure about the nitrite levels because i only have 2 fish so i just assumed it wasn't bad.  i change the water (about 30%) at least once a month. so the problem is little white strings that seem to attach themselves to my fish until they almost look like they have white fuzz on them.  the old fish didn't seem to be affected by it, but in a matter of a few hours my new fish is covered in it.  they both have become VERY unresponsive, to the point that they are both just laying on the bottom of the tank.  please help because i really think they are both on the way out without help ASAP.  thanks so much for your time.

Answer
Hi Brian;

I don't think it's a disease or parasite. They just need a few days to get used to each other. They are both stressed right now because of such a change in their surroundings. The older fish has a 'roomie' now after being alone for a long time and the new one was just moved to a new place. Their stress response has caused excess body slime to be produced. This body slime is very sticky and is probably collecting tiny particles and bubbles from the water. It does often look like teeny-tiny worms. Oscars are very emotional and intelligent fish and will look like they are on death's door as they "pout" by laying down on the gravel when things aren't as they are accustomed to. They should get over it in a day or two once they start to figure each other out.  

Make a water change in a day or two and vacuum the gravel too. Oscar tanks need a 25% water change and gravel vacuuming once a week every week. They are indeed messy guys. Now that there are two it's even more urgent to do so. The bio-system needs time to compensate for the new fish too. Ammonia and then nitrite may rise as a result. If the fish don't get better in a couple of days, have the water tested. If ammonia and/or nitrite are elevated, make a 25% change very day until the toxins are gone.

I hope they get used to each other very soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins