I had two oscar red ruby fish. They were both growing quite well. Yesterday I noticed one of them swimming to the top of the tank... then zooming across the tank very fast .. going wild. I ignored it.. thinking he would be ok.. Then when I woke up this morning he was at the bottom... his body was laying flat ... no movement.. I looked for my other fish.. he was at the bottom still breathing.. body bouncing flat ...he's breathing but he is laying on his side.. I want to know .. WHATS WRONG WITH MY FISH..? I dont have a clue as far as whats going on.. I need some advice.. NO RUDE REPLIES.. YOU WILL BE REPORTED!!
2007-05-23 00:01:57 · 10 answers · asked by Tru_New Orleanian 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
This might sound way off base, but is this behaviour constant like hours on end? Oscars are very well known to like to lie on thier sides and is normal for them. As the others indicated, check your water chemistry, and in this case, I'd say look towards your nitirites. Generally I've seen this where ammonia has risen either due to over feeding or improper filtration, which leads me to ask, what sized tank are these two in? Even in a 75 gallon for 2 that's going to be a crowded situation let alone tank mates. I am guessing the water chemistry may not be perfect and he is in the beginning stages of exposure to either high ammonia, which given the symptoms you're describing, I'd say more like nitrite exposure. Sluggishness, lack of appetite...Just consider though, laying on thier sides is normal and Oscars will do this as well as dig in your substrate. I am really hoping this is the case and he/she is just being a little lazy right now. Run your water check and let us know as well as what size tank is this please :)
2007-05-23 02:45:07 · answer #1 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Add more details! It could have been anything from toxic levels of ammonia to parasitic fungi. What do you feed? I cannot claim to know much about Oscars, but understand them to be predators. If you're feeding live bait fish, it could be any of the above. Check the filters, the ammonia level, look for growths on the fish, discoloration, and never handle fish if at all possible. How long did you have them? Was the tank old or new? If old, was there ever a similar problem? Was the water clean of toxins, including those used to sterilize the water for human use? What was the PH? Too low?
And, did you have the water tested for any of the above? If you could, I suggest taking it to several different pet stores in case the pet shop sold you sickly fish.
Good luck!
2007-05-23 00:15:35 · answer #2 · answered by redskin 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well....if he isn't floating on the top of the tank, youre fish just might be getting ready to predict some earthquakes where you live, this is something that they do, they swim back and forth, and lay on the bottom of the tank laying on their sides...now I don't know what you are feeding them, but when they predict earthquakes, they swim from side to side, on their side, and lay on the bottom...do you have enough air in there for them? Also, I give my oscars little goldfish to eat. some people think that is mean, but what do you think they eat when they are in the natural water?...Sorry if he is dead..but he might not be, unless he floats to the top of the tank...do check your air supply and let us know. Why would anyone give this a thumbs down? Don 't you know about the study they did at Berkly, more than twelve years ago about oscars being the only fish that can predict an earthquake? it is true..and they will do it up to a week ahead of time. They are very sensitive to the ground shaking and they swim on their sides, or mimick death
2007-05-23 00:07:36 · answer #3 · answered by MotherKittyKat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i kept oscars for about 12 years. oscars are pretty hearty fish once they get to be 4 or 5 inches in length. was your tank new? did you de-chlorinate the water? did you overfeed them? how old were the fish? do you change about 10% of the water each week?
2007-05-25 19:01:20 · answer #4 · answered by stevemincer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am really sorry about your fish dying. I am not really sure what the problem is. I think you fish got a disease or parasite inside them that you haven't notice. I think some how, the coudn't help themselves much and it was just time for them to go.
2007-05-23 00:07:04 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that its ammonia poisoning.
Also oscars dont eat goldfish in the wild, because goldfish are an ornamental fish from asia. its not a very nutritionally balanced diet for them
2007-05-23 03:25:58 · answer #6 · answered by kitnurse55 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im sorry. its always good to just sit and watch your fish every day to get to know how they act and then you would see strange behavior sooner. again sorry. get a test kit for the water.
2007-05-26 19:24:45 · answer #7 · answered by Willowjac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to lack of oxygen in your aquarium tank !
2007-05-23 00:04:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They might have been sick-seriously sick, or have parasites. Or maybe they were too stressed(I mean that).
2007-05-23 00:17:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
..............high ammonia nitrates and nitrites or maybe ph was differrent
2007-05-23 00:25:36 · answer #10 · answered by evangeline 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋