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my oscar aged 4 has develped a large slightly asymetric swelling in his belly. the water params are fine and he shows no distress but it has grown significantly over the last 2 weeks and is now about the size of a tangerine. i have no idea what the matter could be. he lives with a plec in a very big tank.

By your decription it sounds like an interenal growth. As what to do sorry no idea. Is it possible to take the fish to a very good LFS as they just might be able to assist you. If possible I would act very fast.

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Keith

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Hmmm... sounds like it's growing too fast to be a tumour. Is the fish eating? Does it still poo? If you answer the second question no, then it might be constipation. Try feeding a food high in Spirulina or feed frozen pea's split in half. If the fish isn't eating, you'll need to start treating for dropsy or malawi bloat. Metrodazinole is probably best for this.

If it is eating and still pooing, then it's probably parasites. You might want to try Clout or Tetracycline. Follow the directions, and remember to remove filter media, do water changes etc. That's all on the instructions on the bottle anyway. Follow it through for a few days or until you can get someone to have a good look at the fish.

Hope that's of some help.

thanks guys, called in the LFS expert and as there were no faeces whatsoever and the respitory trauma he thought it was an internal blockage, either a growth or some swallowed gravel. unfortunatley the oscar passed away this evening. I am very sad as i have been living in the same room as him since he was no bigger than a ten pence piece.
Thanks again for your help.

That is very sad. I lost a Moorii (who use to live with my Oscars) in a similar way and it sucks. If you're tempted to try again, then make sure you carefully watch the fish's diet and bowel movements... it might even have been a genetic thing and not any fault of yours.

Best wishes.