Missing Scales On Oscar

theone · Jan 18, 2010

Hi there,

I came back today to notice some missing scales on my small Oscar. I was wondering if this is disease symptomes, or simply a bad scratch.

I took a picture, but I have no Idea on how taking a nice pic of a fish IN the aquarium. They come out terrible looking.

Could you please give me youre advice?

And if it seems to be a bad scratch, will this heal on its one?

Thank!!!

P.S: The scales missing are the gray spots under the dorsal fin.

erk628 · Jan 18, 2010

Just looks like he may have scraped up against something. Does he have tankmates! Mine had a similar problem about a month ago when I was trying to catch him to put him in a new tank. Mine healed on its own with no meds but I bought a bottle of melafix. Mine wasn't as bad as that though I would suggest getting a bottle of melafix to help speed up the healing process and prevent bacteria infection. I would wait on Wilder to respond though before doing anything shes the fish vet on this forum! :good:

theone · Jan 18, 2010

erk628 said:
Just looks like he may have scraped up against something. Does he have tankmates! Mine had a similar problem about a month ago when I was trying to catch him to put him in a new tank. Mine healed on its own with no meds but I bought a bottle of melafix. Mine wasn't as bad as that though I would suggest getting a bottle of melafix to help speed up the healing process and prevent bacteria infection. I would wait on Wilder to respond though before doing anything shes the fish vet on this forum!

Thanks mate!

Hope Wilder will see the post and suggest something. Dont know if it's one of the mates that did that to him. Got a crappie in the tanks, and they chace each other. Maybe scratched him self on something.

Here's a pic of the cappie. Some time he nibbles on the Oscars tail, but usually it stops there. I'm transfering them in a 77 gall tank in 2 weeks. Hope they'll indured there self till there.

WILDER · Jan 19, 2010

Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

Missing scales can be caused by injury, fighting, knocking them off on ornaments, parasites, bacterial, lumps beneath the skin that raise the scales. Parasites beneath the scales.

Any signs of flicking and rubbing, scraping on objects, excess mucas, darting, or erratic swimming, laboured breathing.
Check to see if you can see anything under the scales like parasites.

The area round the missing scales does it look white and fluffy, any swelling or redness.

theone · Jan 19, 2010

Wilder said:
Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

Missing scales can be caused by injury, fighting, knocking them off on ornaments, parasites, bacterial, lumps beneath the skin that raise the scales. Parasites beneath the scales.

Any signs of flicking and rubbing, scraping on objects, excess mucas, darting, or erratic swimming, laboured breathing.
Check to see if you can see anything under the scales like parasites.

The area round the missing scales does it look white and fluffy, any swelling or redness.

Around 30 Gallon.

One small Oscar
One Medium Crapie
One Rope/Red fish
One Loach
One Pleco
One Bichir (poly.Senegalus)

Sorry about the stats, never checked stats in 3 years of having the tank.

I know it's over crowded, but waiting to be transfered in my new 77 gallon tank.

Scratched places seem sylver. No redness, no excess mucas,no white and fluffy and no swelling.

The Oscar and Crappie chace a lot.... It's more the Crappie that chaces the Oscar. Anyhow, I think the Oscar probably scraped him self on something.

Will this heal on it's on?

Thanks for the help

WILDER · Jan 19, 2010

You need to get your water tested with it being overstocked.

It can look silver when the scales have gone.

He will heal in good water quality.
If anymore changes get back to the board.

Good Luck.

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