Deformed or Internal Parasite/Something that needs treating?

Hi, I recused this Oscar from a local fish store with the aim of documenting his growth into an adult. I posted on Reddit about him and alot of people seemed to think he is suffering from an internal parasite not deformed which I was led to believe. What is the opinion of this forum? He eats well and seems to enjoy life. Many thanks! Shane.

 

Hey there! Welcome to fishlore! If he's eating well, is he also pooping enough/regularly, and does it look normal? How long have you had him, and has his condition changed at all since?

 

Hey there! Welcome to fishlore! If he's eating well, is he also pooping enough/regularly, and does it look normal? How long have you had him, and has his condition changed at all since?

Thanks for the reply!

He is eating well, however his bum is actually on the side of his body and not underneath him which is also a factor which makes me think birth defect. I've only had him 3 days but not noticed anything change. It seems like he's been like this all his life to me because he has learned if his poop is stuck (because he essentially poops sideways) he rubs that side on the gravel to help it exit his body. But he seems like a happy Oscar attacking himself in the glass just like my other 2 larger Oscars do.

Look forward to reading what your opinion is!

Many thanks,

Shane.

 

Thanks for the reply!

He is eating well, however his bum is actually on the side of his body and not underneath him which is also a factor which makes me think birth defect. I've only had him 3 days but not noticed anything change. It seems like he's been like this all his life to me because he has learned if his poop is stuck (because he essentially poops sideways) he rubs that side on the gravel to help it exit his body. But he seems like a happy Oscar attacking himself in the glass just like my other 2 larger Oscars do.

Look forward to reading what your opinion is!

Many thanks,

Shane.

This is super interesting. And I'm glad the little guy is doing okay so far! Oscars are some of my favorite fish in the world.

It's very clearly a deformity, that I think we can all agree on. Identifying the cause is another story. It could be caused by parasites - flukes can encyst and cause spinal deformities like that, though I wouldn't know how to diagnose it. AvalancheDave is incredibly knowledgeable about fish disease - I wonder if he would have any diagnostic insights.

 

This is super interesting. And I'm glad the little guy is doing okay so far! Oscars are some of my favorite fish in the world.

It's very clearly a deformity, that I think we can all agree on. Identifying the cause is another story. It could be caused by parasites - flukes can encyst and cause spinal deformities like that, though I wouldn't know how to diagnose it. AvalancheDave is incredibly knowledgeable about fish disease - I wonder if he would have any diagnostic insights.

The main reason for my concern is he was briefly in the tank with my other Oscars for around 30 mins before I had to stop them destroying him. I have moved him into his own 60L tank just while I identify what is actually wrong with him. If anything besides a birth defect. Obviously I don't want my other Oscars to be affected if he does have anything so I need to know if I should start treating my tank with the other Oscars as a precaution and what I should use?

Many thanks,

Shane.