My pet oscar looks sick, what do I do?

Question

My pet oscar that I got from the pet store about a week ago just sits in the corner of my 10 gallon tank. He's like 2 inches. I had him in my bigger tank with my 2 sucker-fish and 2 larger oscars and he swam usually following the oscars but the next day when I woke up he was all beat up so I put him in my 10 gallon by himself but now he just sits in the corner. I've seen him eat only 2 little pellets of food since I got him. Is he sitting in the corner because he's beat up, or because he's lonely? When I had him in my bigger tank with my oscars he was always swimming with them. Also how long will it take for his body to heal.

Answer 1

He's most likely sulking, Oscars are famous for that. Anytime you move an Oscar of change their environment they can sulk for a few days to a week. The fact that he was beaten up by the other Oscars certainly doesn't help either.

As far as what to do for him, watch carefully around the injured areas for any signs of disease. If you see any signs treat appropriately. The most likely problem you would see is fungus which is easily treated with most fungus medications available.

Personally, I would add about 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons of water to the tank. This will help control any fungus in the tank and help prevent it from attacking your fish while he heals.

Being a young fish he should heal fairly quickly. Try offering him bloodworms, brine shrimp and even very small earthworms. Those will all help him to heal more quickly as well as get him to start eating again.

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

Good point on the cycle fishguy, but I don't know who had the stupidity to thumb down MM here on this. He's 100% correct so whoever issued it feel free to issue me one as well and prove your stupidity. At least have some guts to post your own stuff and point out why the others are wrong. Whoever likes doing this is one gutless coward I can say that and it's happend far too often in here. MM has the best advice so far and definely as fish pointed out check your water chem. I really like using those bloodworms that might spark him right up, and using some aquarium salt should well help any injuries along. Oscars are Cichilds and are very known to fight for thier territory. How big of a tank do you have those other 2 in? If that tank isn't like a 75 gallon or larger, it's just going to be a matter of time before those two pair off on each other over territory as well. Oscars are massive waste producers and you are going to need superior filtration in any tank they occupy if you don't already have it. Try some brine shrimp as well. Crickets if he's big enough to eat them had always gotten my oscars quite happy. I am by far not an Oscar expert but if he is eating live, maybe offer him a couple guppies and see if that boosts his feelings. Otherwise I think you've gotten some great advice in here from MM and fish.

JV

Answer 3

One other very important thing to remember. You didn't mention if the 10 gallon tank is new or if it previously housed fish. If you just set up new for the oscar, it is probably going through a new tank cycle. You should most definitely have the water tested for Ammonia and Nitrite, most aquarium stores do this for free. Water quality issues could be compounding your problem.

Answer 4

Tank is in basic terms too small for the fish as that's transforming into larger. this implies the water high quality has dropped, and that's making the fish ill. Ammonia and nitrate etc interior the water. save up the water ameliorations, and plan on getting a larger tank. Your fish is already transforming into stunted via the circumstances, accurately closer to eight" long via now. A water attempt kit would be certain what is going on, however the respond is obtrusive. Any good reference allow you to appreciate which you particularly prefer 50gal (or greater) to maintain an Oscar. attempt keeping them in a smaller tank, and that they get stunted and at last die. Ian

Answer 5

Let him heal, give him a bit of stress coat.