Thanks for all your advice guys! I am pretty new to fish (meaning
I've had quite a few that didn't make it, but this is only my 2nd
oscar), you guys are all so hard core! I actually don't own a water
test kit, but I'm buying one today, so I'll get back to you on the
parameters. Please don't reply with abusive posts about what a bad
fish keeper I am because I don't have a water test kit (I feel so
amateur). Ernie (the fish) was honestly was doing fine until now, and
I really do appreciate your advice on what to do.

How does one fix an ammonia problem?


Also, no, I didn't know you could just put a blanket over the top and
the algae would die. Does the blanket need to be there all the time,
or only when the sun shines on the tank?

I think it was algae in the tank anyway. It was strands of green
stuff coming off the walls, and then any waste the fish produced had
this halo of white stuff growing around it, sometimes with little
fibres (hyphae?, perhaps it is fungus?) sticking out it.