oscar not eating

[rigsha97]

Looking for some info on as oscar not eating, do they do this by choice? I have had him for 9 monthsand is approx 8-9 in long. Things have been going well, but for no reason he has stopped eating. Levels are all good. don't know of any new stress not much has changed. Only thing I can see is he breathes a little funny, I can see his tongue sometimes poking out and opens his mouth a lot.

[J double R]

what have you been feeding him normally?

[legendaryfrog]

Try buying some live foods.

What are tha water parameters?

[musho3210]

tank size? Sunken belly? White stringy poo?

[rigsha97]

i have seen some white stringy poo, what does that mean?

[Star_Rider]

could be signs of either bacterial infection or possible parasite infestation.

[rigsha97]

what do I do about this?

[12 Volt Man]

does he have any pits in his forehead?

oscars are very prone to hexamita infection (aka hole in the head).

stringy white poo can be a symptom.

the best treatment is an antibiotic called metronodiazole, but treatment for hole in the head is very difficult unfortunately.

[12 Volt Man]

could you post some water parameters for us?

that would help alot also.

[rigsha97]

my parameters are in my signature

[12 Volt Man]

oh, okay, they look good except the pH is fairly high.
Do you have any shells in the tank?

[Star_Rider]

fluctuating pH is a problem..if the ph is stable and remains at this level..it prob won't hurt the fish.
white poo..keep an eye out take a look at the anal area..if you see anything sticking out you may have worm infestation..this is not uncommon in cichlids.

what is the oscars normal diet..these fish need a varied diet and neeed lots of vitamins..while live food is a treat once in awhile.the prepared food are generally much healthier and more balanced.

hexamita aka HITH aka lateral line erosion is generally associated with the diet..but generally you would see pits int he and around the head and lateral line..a flagellated protozoan has also been assciated with this(hence the metro)
if you treat for parasites jungle parasite clear has prazi, metro..levamisole is also a good parasite treatment.

I treat all new fish in a q tank for parasites. something I learned from a breeder.
the best method of treatment is to intorduce the meds in foods but if the fish is not eating..a barth will work..generally for 24-48 hrs followed by a water change.(25% add carbon to the filter)