CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

He's sick and we need help,
I have an urgent issue, no vet in my area takes care of fish it's so upseting. I have a Red Tiger Oscar about 13 inchs big, fairly large. Playful friendly fish

Living in a 90 gallon tank the pH is about 7.9 the NH3 is .00 About 2 weeks ago So Jan 21ish. I vacuumed up 1/4 of the water and refilled it with clean city water like I always have, treated with half dose of Aqua Plus and Cycle for good measure and replaced the Carbon filters and polly wool in the emperor 3000 filter

Since about Feb 1st I've noticed my oscar Niq has had an enlarged belly, just near wear he poops, it's getting more and more enlarged I don't think Oscars been excreting any waste but I'm not totally positive

Now Niq’s color is fading some all over the body and is nearly white on his under belly, the scales look awfully stretched.

However the activity level is still relatively normal, but the spikes on the top of his head are pushed back most of the time (Not normal), I find Oscars only do that when they're stressed

Here's the pictures taken today Feb 7th 2005
http://www.geocities.com/odubeau/niqsick.html
or
http://www.angelfire.com/crazy3/redoscar/sick.html

**UPDATE** Feb 7th The belly has gotten much worse the past day the scales are so stretched you can see the skin between them anus seems to be protruding and it's red looks 'almost' like blood Now he's lethargic and breathing heavy, I'm scared guys

I researched it and figure it might be an intestinal blockage of some sort, I feed him only dry cichlid pellets meant for med Cichlids. His tank mates are a pleco, Parrot fish of 5 inches and 3 med tinfoil barbs. As per the advice I treated the tank with ebsom salts 1 Tablespoon per 5 gallons Feb 6th and will treat a half dose in days and so on but I fear I need more drastic measures I'm willing to do what it takes help me help my fish

Feb 8th I'm still waiting on a call from the Alantic vet college and Niq appears worse now a red buldge is sticking out and it's staying at the top of the tank (very out of character) and swiming alot more, also He's much to easy to guide
http://www.geocities.com/odubeau/niqsick.html
or
http://www.angelfire.com/crazy3/redoscar/sick.html

It seems to be a blockage, have u tried to feed him some peas. They are good at getting releaving constipation. From what you have described, and the pics, I would guess blockage, or an internal tumor. I don't think the epsom salt treatment will work, unless you do a dip, not at this point in time. The blockage seems pretty bad. Last case attempt, you might try a couple of drops of cod liver oil directly into the mouth.

Try feeding some oily food, ie live fish, worms, compaction can occur with too much dry pellets etc....