Swollen Female Oscar - not eating.

[jackafrica]

Hi All,
I'm new to this forum, and seeking to find out why my female Oscar ( Lucinda ) is sick.
She's one of a pair, up untila week ago has been fine. Stopped eating initially. Now she is somewhat pale and swollen. still not eating. She will be attracted to food, swallow, then spit it out almost immediately.
Water is clean, pH level good, ammonia/nitrate level near zero. Water is rainwater, not trearted with any chemicals.
Both fish have been living comfortably in the tank ( about 200litres ) for 2 years.
bought when they were about 2" long, now about 8" long.
The male ( Oscar ) is in fine condition, he's as happy as a lark and eating well ( everything possible ! )
Initially I thought she may be ready to lay a batch of eggs ( she's laid eggs a few times now ). Now I'm certain she is sick. i'll be doing another water change next hour.
Prior to this, never had a problem with them, other than the usual Oscar habits of occasional fighting, especially once the girl has laid her eggs on the bottom of the tank. Used to have flat rocks, but they prefer to clean the tank to the bottom glass and lay eggs there.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
regards
jackafrica

 

[Fish-Noobie]

uhh how do u know the water isnt adic rain? oh btw to the fourm

 

[jackafrica]

I live in southern Tasmania, Australia. Rain water here is the purest in the world, having blown 1000s of miles from the nearest landmass of equal latitude across the Indian and Southern Oceans via the Antarctic. Rainwater here is collected, bottled and sold for big money to those who don't enjoy such clean water.
No, it isn't acidic.

 

[Vip]

Rain water in tassie is drinkable heh. You had the same problem as me mate, mine stop eating, went pale, spat his food out and all. I then noticed pin sized holes in his head and then they got bigger by then i new he had Hole In The Head. If she has got it just do 20% water changes every 2nd day untill you cant see them no more. Stop changing the water with rain water as well because it seems to be makeing them grow slow. My tiger oscar is 1 year old and 10" my other is 8 months and 7". Your ones should be about 13" or even 14"

 

[jackafrica]

There's no pinholes in their head. i've seen " hole in the head disease ", nothing like that.
Up until the last week they have been fine. The girlie has been going down hill, first the not eating, then the gradual swelling of the gut. She still won't eat, that is to say she is still spittin all the food out. Even wasted a few prawns cut up, which the male ate no problemo.
The reason they're not so big is more likely to be the size of the tank, 180 litres to top water level.
My old Oscar, died 2 years ago, she was 8 years old. She even survived a minute or two on the floor after jumping out once, had to rescue here from the dog. Dunno if they have ears, but she would've been deaf after that episode.
This has me stumped, Oscars are not normally sick fish !
So what is causing the swelling in the gut and the zero appetite ???

 

[jackafrica]

Thanks Lorelei for the advice, it seems like either a bacterial infection, or she is egg bound. The male is fine still.
I'm more concerned at what might've changed to allow this to happen, or maybe it is just the way it is. Either way I'll do whatever has to be done to keep her going if possible.
Thanks again.