Florecent light and Oscar HITH?

[bob320]

Couple of questions for you to ponder:

I have 2 Oscars both of same age one is about 8" the other is about 6.5".
Tank is 4ft and also 1 big (10") pleco in there.

1. Would I be able to use one of the blue lights on my tank? the sort of UV looking ones they look cool.

2. The smaller Oscar has a weird "dent" on the side of his head between his gill and his mouth. Its only on one side and it sort of concaves. Its quite noticable and been there for about a month.
He is sometimes bullied by the other Oscar who has grown larger than him even thought they are the same age. Any ideas what it might be?

 

[DHR]

Got a picture?

 

[ScottoMacD]

Answers

1) I'm assuming you are refering to a Actinic blue light?
If so yes there is no reason that you cannot use one. You will not however be able to use a VHO bulb unless you have the right type of ballast. In which case you will be using the regular style bulb. I would recommend trying out the zoo- med ocean-sun or reef sun.

2) A dent doesn't sound like hole in the head. Although there are many theories and debates about what cause HITH. The two of all the different theories that seem to come up the most are water quailty and nutrition (vitamin deficentcies)

Hole in the head is actual holes in the head small pin holes in the area of the snout and in the eye areas.

[Pictures curtosy of www.worldcichlids.com]

I would check your water and see how it is quality wise. The other thing to do especially with oscars is to feed a balanced diet. Feeders are the worst thing for them. If you must feed your oscars feeder goldfish. It should only be done maximum twice a week with the rest of the week feeding with a good balanced diet of pellets and freeze dried foods.