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Hi all. I am a new Oscar owner, but this isn't my first tank. I have a 55 gal tank w/ 2 Oscars (Tiger and Hong Kong/Albino), both juveniles, and some other tank mates. The water levels are within tolerances, as well as temp. My husband and I do frequent water changes and use no chemicals besides dechlorinator. We have recently concluded a 3 day Ick treatment, exactly by the instructions.

Our problem is that one of our Oscars, the Hong Kong, appears to be losing scales and it's fins are separating. It's almost like it's molting. It's still eating and behaving relatively normal. The noticeable change in behavior is that it went from swimming constantly, to hiding under a rock. He have never seen this fish get picked on by its mates. Just this evening, it passed something that looked like a wad of gum and the size of a small jelly bean, but we also used a new food. We discarded the old food in case it was spoiled.

Any ideas about what could be wrong?

Hi Marianne, welcome to the forums! I've never heard of a "hong kong" var. of Oscar, but I'm not up-to-date on alot of the new names these critters get --

I'm curious about how long you've had these two Oscars, and whether the Ick you just treated was prevelant on the albino. When I've had ick outbreaks they attack every fish in the tank, but seem to infect some more than others. A couple of possibilities are that what's happening is the aftermath of the ick attack, and/or your Albino came to you already ill with something that is now manifesting. I would suggest medicating the aquarium with a general med (my favorite is "Clout") and leaving the aquarium lights off 24/7 and see what happens. Also, if there's any loud noise sources around the tank, see if you can remove them. Additionally, triple check your water conditions (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, temperature). The medication is as much to protect the other fish from whatever is attacking your Oscar, and the lights off/lower noise is to lower stress levels so he can recover. Good news that he's eating, bad news is that he's hiding and physically deteriorating -- Good luck and keep us updated! --Mark

As U have already treated for ICH, dont' treat again so soon.. ICH can not be treated on the fish.. IT has to FALL OFF and their is a 3 day window that you have to KILL out the parasite or it wil burrow in the gravel and lay eggs and start all over again in a few weeks.  NOW I would do a 40% water change on your tank, clean the filters out/add in NEW filter media pads and wait and see if that does not help.. HE seems to have had a reaction to the ICH meds.. Most fish do.. As for the strange poop, I would not worry just yet.. As  you did change foods and the meds could be the cause..

Depending on how big the tank is a good 5-7 day treatment of MelaFix/PrimaFix together wil help sooth and heal him up faster.. AFTER THE WATER CHANGE...
IF you use these meds, please remove the CARBON FROM the filter pads.. cut a slit at the top and shake them out into a bowl for reuse later...