My Oscar is acting crazy!

Question
I have an Oscar who is almost a year old. I have reciently moved him and now he is acting crazy and wont eat.  He has white spots on him, which i thought was Ick, but i looked through some pictures and that's not what it really looks like.  These spots run through his fins and he has a few large ones on his head. His scales near his tail and across his side are falling off :(  There are days that he will open his mouth wide and look like he's gasping for air and then he will just start freaking out (pushing around his algea eater, flipping over shells and stones in his tank, ripping up his aquatic plants) I have tryed feeding him everything that i can think of that i have fed him before in the past, but he is refusing it.  I bought him some minnows, and he would rather slam them into the side of the tank and kill them, rather than eat them.  I really don't know what else to do, besides change his water, sterilize his tank, and try new things for him to eat.  I need some help here!!!!

Answer
Hi Amy;

It could be any number of things. I would first make a 50% water change and be sure to use water conditioner. If the new tank is not yet through the break-in period, there are toxins elevated that are irritating him. It can go on for up to 8 weeks so test the water every day. The water change will help relieve him. Test the levels of ammonia and nitrite. (Not nitrAte, it's different and doesn't cause these problems.) If either are elevated make a daily 25% water change until they are "zero"." Please don't drain and sterilize the tank. It's only going to happen again anyway because the break-in period has to finish. Here is a link to my article about it to tell you more;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

It's also possible he has a protozoan parasite and/or bacterial infection. Flukes, Chilodonella, Costia, and Trichodina are the usual suspects. The fish will be very nervous and not want to eat. "Flashing" or scratching on objects in the tank is from itching and irritation. It sounds the most like Chilodonella. The white patches are a common symptom. Costia and Trichodina usually cause redness and ulcers. Flukes can actually be seen on the skin with a magnifying glass so look closely for movement on his skin, if he will hold still in the water long enough.

Treatment; BEFORE TREATING with any medication, check the ammonia and nitrites FIRST. His problem may be as simple as the toxins irritating him. Using medicine when not necessary   can be dangerous to your fish's health and if toxins are already poisoning him, adding medicine can become deadly. That said, once you are certain his water is okay, treat by using a product called "Coppersafe". It is widely available and kills protozoan parasites. You can also add aquarium salt and a product called "Melafix" to help alleviate the irritation made and also weaken the infection. Melafix also helps regenerate damaged tissues. Follow the directions on the labels.

It's okay if your oscar doesn't eat right now. He can go two weeks with no food at all. Once he is feeling better he should start eating a little. Avoid feeding your oscar live feeder fish. They can introduce diseases to your fish because of the unhealthy conditions the feeders are exposed to before you get them. The fish store tank may look fine but they are usually seriously stressed before they ever even get there. Offer him a good quality pelleted or gel-based food. They have vitamins and minerals to help give him a balanced diet. Feed him cooked green peas a couple of times a week too. It helps his digestion.

Let me know how it's going...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins