I spotted a small black spot on top of the head of my red Oscar today. It is hard to tell whether it's just a scratch or something else so I'm kind of freaking out at the moment. It is possible that he scratched himself on the rock or the hood since he does tend to jump during feeding time. Also, he doesn't appear stressed or sick. I bought him about 6 weeks ago and he's approx. 3.5'. Is it common for an oscar to get HITH that early? I don't know what they fed him at the LFS but his diet contains mainly Hiraki staple pellets, dried freeze shrimps, occasional blood worms and some spinach about once a week. The tiger oscar I got the same time does not have the same symptom. Could anybody with experience please tell me if I should worry?
My Oscar got HITH?
- Thread starter TML29
- Start date
not to worry. if it's a bruise, it'll heal up on it's own. rushing to treatment with medication is premature at this point. check your water conditions .. ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH since HITH is almost always a function of stress from poor water quality or crowding.
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Just in case if you wonder about my tank conditions, here is the stats:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10-15
I do 40% water change a week. I know 55g is nowhere near enough to house 2 oscars but at this stage, they're still small and happy with the tank size.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10-15
I do 40% water change a week. I know 55g is nowhere near enough to house 2 oscars but at this stage, they're still small and happy with the tank size.
Great parameters & maintainance. Also good to know you're thinking ahead on upgrading. Like the others said, a bit early for concern although it's good that you're observant. 'O's are a clumbsy lot. He/she could have easily gotten bruised playing tag or whatever. If that's the case, it'll heal in short order on it's own. Keep up the good work. "T"
LOL....ain't that the truth! Mine always smacks into the top of the plexi tank at feeding time, jumping up to grab the food...he grabbed my thumb the other day!
O's are prone to HITH. When they get it, you'll know it! One little mark? Nothing to worry about. When your fish starts looking like Edward James Olmos, it's time to be concerned. Until then, just keep doing what you're doing.
Probably just a dent,my o used to get those on his head all the time from striking at water drops on the cover.seems it was just a phase he stopped doing that a while ago