by Fuzzy on Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:01 pm
Sounds like your tank is not cycled. Get a test kit for ammonia, and check the level. Just because one fish shows symptoms, does not mean the others are fine.
You will have to do water changes, dependant upon the level of ammonia. Once the nitrifying bacteria have established for the ammonia, you will then have to watch for nitrite. It takes about 4 weeks to complete the cycle.
As for cleaing your filter, what type do you have. For Oscars you need lots of filtering. It should filter the water at a rate of 10x for hang on back types, and 5x for a canister. So you have a 55, this means your filter should be rated at 550 gph for a hob, or 270 for a can. Water quality, is the most important issue in fish keeping
Post back and let us know.