they are in only a 10 gallon right now and what do i do if one is not eating i got them from petsmart 3 days ago
Please no smartass answers
2007-07-29 07:54:29 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Did you check the chemicals in the tank you can buy a kit to do so for about $15 at most pet stores. Some places you can take in some water and they'll test it for you. Definitely move them to the 50 gal tank, a 10 gal is WAY to small. It'll take a few weeks to get the tank set up and the chemicals ok. Another reason a kit can come in handy. To help get the ammonia up buy a few small fish. A really good website that helped me when I was new to the hobby was http://www.piranha-fury.com they have a cichlids forum too with a lot of people that really know their stuff. Just click on forums, go down to "Non-Piranha Forums", then click on "Non-Piranha Freshwater Forums", then "Cichlids". I've always found an answer to any question I had an answer to and my fish are super happy. Good luck!
*****Never feed them goldfish, most of them have diseases that your fish will get. That's why when you looks at the goldfish at the store there's always dead ones on top.
2007-07-29 08:23:13 · answer #1 · answered by lizo0110 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These can grow quite large, and I'm wondering how big they are now, and what you are feeding them for the one not to be eating. Larger oscars eat minows or even goldfish feeders. The smaller can eat the regular cichlid food. A way to figure the size of the tank is to estimate about 1" of fish to every three gallons of water. So, figure how big they will grow. . . maybe 6 inches each (although they can grow much larger), and then multiply 12 by 2. 50 should be fine, but you may want to get a top on that thing, since they will really jump when they are feeding when they are larger. They actually are best in a 75 gallon tank according to research. Also, these type of fish need a different alkalinity than regular fresh water fish. . . it's somewhere around 6 ph I think, but make sure you have it lower than usual, but they are fairly tolerant of the neutrual 7 if you have other fish in there with them.
2007-07-29 14:59:45 · answer #2 · answered by CandyLandCondoResident 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just remember that even a 50 gallon is not going to be sufficient for very long for 2 Oscars ! I started my Oscar out as a little 2 incher in a 10 gallon tank and he was so cute ! Here's a realty check for you, he is now around 15 inches long and a couple inches thick and lives in a 100 gallon tank alone becuase he is too agressive to have company. He gets very excited at feeding tim and will pop the tank lid with his head and has hurt himself a few times. He also will bite the crap out of you if your fingers linger too long while feeding. I am not in any way trying to be mean, I knew what I was gettin myself into when I got my Oscar, I just want to make sure people realize what they are getting into ! Too often pets that outgrow their cuteness are dumped in the wild (even fish) and either they die out there or the ecosystem is screwed.
Oh, and about the one not eating, Oscars can be tempermental and get stressed easily. It may take a few days for him to feel settled enough in his new surroundings to eat. You can try turning the tank lights off for a few days and see if that helps calm him down (no it won't hurt him to be in the dark for a few days). Good luck with them, Oscars are great if you treat them right !
2007-07-29 15:10:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
You don't say how big the are now, but since you said you bought them 3 days ago, I'm assuming they're still small, inch, inch and a half at most. At that size, a 10 gallon tank should be adequate. However, they grow fast, and large. I had one who outgrew a 20 gallon tank. When he got so big he could hardly turn around in it, I felt sorry for the poor bastard and bought a 55 gallon job. He lived quite happily in it for the last 10 years of his life. Oh, did I mention that Oscars live a long time?
2007-07-29 15:00:26 · answer #4 · answered by texasjewboy12 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3
2007-07-29 14:57:15 · answer #5 · answered by niceguy 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think they grow to the size of the tank. If the room starts getting short, get another tank. I had one in a 30 gallon. As far as the fish not eating, what are you feeding it? They eat oscar chilids or the dried shrimp or the feeder fish at wal-mart. Try them all.
2007-07-29 15:00:50 · answer #6 · answered by Layla 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
they need to get out of that 10 gallon ya the 50 gallon should be good Oscars are really really really cool fish and you teach them to pull on a string to be fed and to jump when you have food sitting just outside the water and they are loyal and will recognize there owners
2007-07-29 15:00:00 · answer #7 · answered by tkerbag 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A 50 or 55 will be good for 2 oscars. Check your ammonia levels if they are not eating. You will probably need to do a water change.
2007-07-29 14:58:09 · answer #8 · answered by fivespeed302 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If you just got them, give them time to get use to their new environment. They would love a 50 gallon tank, are you kidding me. I have a 55 with various chilids. They are very happy.
2007-07-29 14:57:47 · answer #9 · answered by Steph 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
no, s one oscar cant live in a 50, so two definitly will not liv in a 50 gallon.
it is recommend for two oscars to have a tak over 100 gallons.
2007-07-29 15:07:54 · answer #10 · answered by Coral Reef Forum 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋