I have a Tiger Oscar that I got a few months before Christmas. It was about 2" long when I got it. It was housed in a 30 gal hexagon tank and shortly after I got an Albino Tiger Oscar a tad bigger. The Albino was more agressive than the Tiger but died in January. Since then my Tiger has been alone. A few weeks ago my tank leaked so I quickly put him (and his water) in a 10 gal tank. He was about 5" long at this point but I had no choice until I got another tank. He was doing fine, then about last week started laying on his side a lot. However when I fed him he'd hop right up and gobble his food. I was feeding him flakes and minnows then switched him to Cichild Pellets. They made the tank orange so I changed his water weekly. I just got a 40 gallon set up for him the other day and put him in tonight. He just went to the bottom and back on his side. His color is bright and he shows no signs of any physical problems except this. Think he'll perk back up?? I'm very worried :-(
2007-05-19 14:36:15 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Oscars are famous for doing just the stuff you are describing. They will sulk and lay on the bottom whenever they aren't perfectly comfortable. As long as he is eating well, his color is good and he can swim around properly (like at feeding time) you have nothing at all to worry about. Once be settles in completely he will start acting "normal" again.
As for changing the water, you mentioned doing it once a week in the 10 gallon. I would suggest that you do a 25% water change once a week as a matter of habit on any aquarium. Use a gravel siphon from the pet store to clean the gravel as you go and it will keep the tank nice and clean and the fish healthier.
MM
2007-05-19 14:52:49 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He'll perk up. He's just stressing. Oscars are famous for their melodramatic "I'm dying...poor me!" stances when moved, transported, get a new tankmate, remove decor...anything!
He'll fare even better now that you have him in a 40. Remember though, the minimum tank size for a full grown is 55 gallons. They need to have enough room to turn around and they get over 12" long. Don't put another oscar in unless you're planning on getting 110 gallon or larger tank :) And tell your O to "buck up little camper!" He's been moved around a lot lately so he's likely stressed.
2007-05-19 15:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by Barb R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
. He could have been sulking cause it must suck in there, and it would have been better to do daily changes in sucha tiny tank. But as long as he is OK, the 40 will be OK, at least for a while. Generally you want grown oscars in at least a 55 gallon tank, so you will still want to do 25 percent plus water changes at least twice a week in this tank if you want him to stay healthy.
2007-05-19 18:51:26 · answer #3 · answered by boncarles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he's fine, my oscar kinda does that, but not all the way, hes about 8" or 9''. my oscar's name is grover. :0
2007-05-19 16:12:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a swim bladder infection to me.
2007-05-19 14:47:17 · answer #5 · answered by Cosby the Demon Lord 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋