It is generally recommended that you keep nitrAtes below 20 PPM at all times in an oscar tank to avoid problems with HITH. Treatment for HITH involves maintaining pristine (nitrAtes 10 PPM or less) water conditions---there is no other treatment or quick-fix from a bottle. Achieving this level of nitrAtes in a 55 gal. tank with two oscars will probably require large water changes every other day (I'd start on the every other day routine and test nitrAtes before each water change and report back on your test results).
Even if you do manage the huge challenge of keeping nitrAtes at or below 10 PPM, the HITH may still not go away because of stress. This stress could likely be a result of the two oscars being housed together in such tight quarters. Sure, they may appear to get along, but even the happiest couples (whether it be oscars, humans, or otherwise) need their space from time to time. Make sense?
This is why the oscarfish.com folks recommend 55 gal. minimum for a single oscar and 125 gal. minimum for two oscars.
Here's what you need to do:
-large water changes every other day
-test nitrAtes before each water change (and report back on test results)
-obtain Boyd's Vita-Chem (liquid vitamin supplement) and soak pellets in it once a day for several minutes prior to feeding
-test tapwater parameters (and report back on test results ASAP)
Ultimately the solution is to get a bigger tank, but the steps I've listed above will help things to head in the right direction for the time being. Assuming the pristine water conditions are met and the oscar is no longer undergoing stress, then yes, the holes will eventually heal up. No need whatsoever to add melafix or any other treatments.
BV
Even if you do manage the huge challenge of keeping nitrAtes at or below 10 PPM, the HITH may still not go away because of stress. This stress could likely be a result of the two oscars being housed together in such tight quarters. Sure, they may appear to get along, but even the happiest couples (whether it be oscars, humans, or otherwise) need their space from time to time. Make sense?
This is why the oscarfish.com folks recommend 55 gal. minimum for a single oscar and 125 gal. minimum for two oscars.
Here's what you need to do:
-large water changes every other day
-test nitrAtes before each water change (and report back on test results)
-obtain Boyd's Vita-Chem (liquid vitamin supplement) and soak pellets in it once a day for several minutes prior to feeding
-test tapwater parameters (and report back on test results ASAP)
Ultimately the solution is to get a bigger tank, but the steps I've listed above will help things to head in the right direction for the time being. Assuming the pristine water conditions are met and the oscar is no longer undergoing stress, then yes, the holes will eventually heal up. No need whatsoever to add melafix or any other treatments.
BV
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