Strange Spots on Oscar

[Brody L]

So I've had an Oscar for a bit over a year now, and he's always been doing great. But last week I went on vacation for a week, and had a friend take care of him for that time. When I got back I noticed these strange spots on him. Their all over him, on his head, his fins, and partly on his sides. The spots are a greenish tint. The first thing I thought was hole in the head, but wasn't too sure. But I did a big water change, and began treating it. Within hours the marks went away, but they came back the next day (today) without notice. I have no idea what this could be, as I can't find anything online similar to this. The water parameters are perfect, with my nitrates at about 10. And the Oscar is acting completely normal, he's still eating, and still reacts to me and doesn't seem fazed by this. I'll try to add some pictures but sorry if I don't add them correctly. I'd love some input and help with this, thanks!

 

[tlindsey]

Never saw a Oscar like that in all of my years of fish keeping. Poor Oscar

 

[Brody L]

Never saw a Oscar like that in all of my years of fish keeping. Poor Oscar

I know! I'd really hate to see this guy go, and I'm so confused because I've never seen something like this, and can't find anything about this online!

 

[Yoimbrian]

My guess is ammonia burn. Your ammonia might be perfect now, but if your friend over fed it could have spiked (and gone by down by the time you tested).

As a general rule it's safer for fish to starve for a week than have someone else take care of them.

 

[philipraposo1982]

Following to see what this is.

I hope you can figure it out and quick

Im assuming bacterial but I guess it could be fungal too. What about a broad spectrum med? I would keep temps maybe a bit on the low side to slow things down if it is bacterial.

 

[Brody L]

Following to see what this is.

I hope you can figure it out and quick

Im assuming bacterial but I guess it could be fungal too. What about a broad spectrum med? I would keep temps maybe a bit on the low side to slow things down if it is bacterial.

I've been using Melafix, and it seemed to work because within hours the spots went away. But I checked on him this morning and he was fine, but all of a sudden when I got home it was there again so I'm not sure the Melafix actually did much. One thing I suspect is maybe bacteria supplement. Every time I do a water change I put in the recommended amount of bacteria supplement, I'm wondering if maybe I've been putting too much in and its beginning to eat away at the fish. Not sure though

 

[MrsE88]

If the tank is cycled (I’m sure it is) then there is no reason to keep adding bacteria.
I highly doubt that is the cause for these strange spots. I too was thinking it is either fungal or bacterial.

 

[Brody L]

My guess is ammonia burn. Your ammonia might be perfect now, but if your friend over fed it could have spiked (and gone by down by the time you tested).

As a general rule it's safer for fish to starve for a week than have someone else take care of them.

Oh I never thought about that. I've had others care for my fish before well I've been on vacation without any problems, maybe I was just lucky back then. Thanks for the input!

 

[pops]

my first thought is ammonia burn also, did the guy watching him clean your filters for you? not something I have seen before for a regularly well regulated tank.

melafix is fine for preventative per say but worthless once something crops up, ammonia reading good, nitrite good, (meaning none) then I would go bacteria issue, fish eating well and not stressed I would go pristine water, add nothing and keep the water pristine, 90% water changes every day is what i would be doing and a good filter clean with the old tank water or water treated with safe/prime. if that does not help then I would move to more aggressive meds , they will nuke the tank and put you in mini cycle but will kill the bacteria that may be causing this if thats what it is. again this is what I would do, others may have a better answer for you.

Oscars are hardy fish, all things being = he should be able to fight it off just fine long as water is pristine and able to run a good slim coat.

 

[itrebebag99]

I believe that's a fungal infection. Bacterial infections tend to give the fins a "tattered" look, but yeah, as stated above, I've never experienced it in any of my fish, but I do think I've seen something similar in Walmart fish.