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FAQs on Oscars 3
Related Articles: Oscars,
Neotropical Cichlids, African Cichlids,
Dwarf South American Cichlids, Cichlid Fishes in
General,
Related FAQs: Oscars 1,
Oscars 2, Oscar
Identification,
Oscar Selection,
Oscar Compatibility,
Oscar Behavior,
Oscar Systems,
Oscar Feeding, Oscar Disease/Health,
Oscar Reproduction,
Neotropical Cichlids 1,
Cichlids of the World, Cichlid Systems,
Cichlid Identification,
Cichlid Behavior,
Cichlid Compatibility, Cichlid Selection,
Cichlid Feeding,
Cichlid Disease, Cichlid
Reproduction,
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New Oscar, gen. 9/9/09
Hi.
<Hello,>
I just purchased a new Oscar last week Friday.
<Hope you did some reading first! These are very demanding fish, and
while cute when small, the adults are over 12 inches/30 cm long and need
tanks not less than 55 gallons in size. This assumes regular water
changes and excellent filtration.>
I set my tank up a week and a half before I purchased the Oscar.
<How did you mature the filter? An empty tank run for 10 days isn't
maturing unless you're adding a source of ammonia. An easy approach is
to add a portion of food every day or two, just as if there was a fish
in
there. As the food rots, it produces ammonia, and that gets the filter
cycling. Using your test kit you'll find nitrite levels go up after
about a week of this, and then 2-3 weeks later drop down to zero again.
That's when you can add a fish. If you just had the tank sitting there,
empty, then none of this was happening. Running the water through the
filter does not, by itself, do anything other than get the filter media
wet.>
He/She eats, but, it stays at the bottom of the tank and sometimes on
its side like its dead. I've read different articles here, and even
check my water (which is fine).
<Have you got an ammonia and/or nitrite test kit? You MUST have zero
levels of both. You also need to check the water chemistry; for Oscars,
a pH between 6 and 8 is fine, and the hardness should be anything
between fairly soft through to moderately hard, 5-20 degrees dH being
about right.>
Is this a normal activity for them when the are new.
<Depends. It's very common for fish added to non-cycled aquaria to
behave weirdly, and a week or so later, they get sick, and then after
that, they die. But all cichlids are sensitive to their environment, so
things like a big flowerpot on its side for a cave, or some floating
plants for shade, will help.>
He/She is about 2 - 3 inches long, is eating, and has a very active
bowel LOL! Just concerned about its activities. Should I go and get it a
playmate??
<No. Do read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebindex/oscars.htm
Cheers, Neale.>
Tiger Oscar food. No data, reading; SOP resp.
8/26/2009
Hello, i have recently purchased a tiger Oscar about 6 inches in length.
It seems scared for the first few days and eventually went up for food
but when it actually eats something, it spits it out. I am feeding it
Hikari pellets and it goes up for the food but doesn't swallow. Does it
not like
the food? please help
UC
<...Need data to make a first order approximation... Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/oscars.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Astronotus, no real data 8/10/09
Me and my boyfriend have a albino tiger Oscar he is bout two inches long
in a 29 gallon tank. he is still a baby.
<This isn't viable. An adult Oscar will need, at minimum, a 55 gallon
tank, and I'd argue something like 75 gallons if you want to avoid doing
water changes every five minutes. Seriously, Oscars are extremely messy
pets, and many, many specimens die from being kept in too-small an
aquarium. Do read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebindex/oscars.htm
>
i bought him from a pet store about two weeks ago. in the store he was
by his self and the only one in there. which is kind of weird becuz they
usually have a couple of them in a tank. but i brought him home and
realized he was staying very close to the bottom.
<Stressed. A happy Oscar is lively and will swim towards the front of
the tank every time it sees you.>
the same day i bought him i bought some other fish too. they seem to be
fine but when i feed him he don't seem to eat. his eyes are bright red
so its kind of hard to see if he has cloud eye but the other fish seem
to be fine so i don't think it is anything with my tank.
<I think there are many things wrong with your tank. You haven't
mentioned anything about water chemistry, water quality, or temperature.
You haven't said what you're feeding him. For example, the stupidest
thing people do with Oscars is feed them Goldfish. I hope you aren't
doing that. Feeder fish introduce diseases as well as being high in fats
and thiaminase that cause long-term health problems. So, feed --
sparingly -- on a diet based primarily on quality pellets (Hikari
Cichlid Gold for example) and some
unshelled invertebrates (krill, shrimp, snails, crayfish) plus
occasional cooked peas.>
when i feed them the other fish go to the top to eat and he seems to
follow. but he follows them around im guessing becuz there bright? and
he can some what see them? but he don't touch the food. he runs into the
rocks and the filter even sometimes. I don't know if he has a fungus or
if he was born that way. I hope you can help me. thanks Emily.
<Emily, spend some time reading about these fish. They're fun pets, but
far from easy to keep. A big tank, a very powerful filtration system,
large weekly water changes -- all these things are essential. Cheers,
Neale.>
Red Oscar pic
12/27/07
Here's a picture of my so-much-loved Red Oscar named "Inky". Neale
has patiently answered many questions about him, I thought he might like
to see the Oscar he helped "raise". I got him last summer when he was
2", he's 7" now. I wish I could take him out of the water and hug him, I
adore this fish. He loves his 6' tank all to himself. His aquarium is
along the main living room wall so he gets attention from everyone, he
probably wishes we'd leave him alone (nah....).
I wish a picture could show his comical personality, his intelligence
and how much I love him. He's a big part of this family, we've missed
many movies on TV because watching Inky is far more entertaining.
Thank you for this website, I continue to learn more each day from it.
Mitzi
<Hello Mitzi. That's a magnificent fish, and a real advertisement for
the hobby. Beautiful colours. Oscars love attention, as you probably
know, and I'm sure he really appreciates all the time you spend with
him. I think Oscars are among the smartest fish on Earth, perhaps THE
smartest. There are lots o stories of them being trained to play games
with ping-pong balls and the like. Happy holidays to you both! Neale.>
Re: Red Oscar pic 12/27/07
This has got to be one of the most *rewarding 'live pet' hobbies there
is.
<I agree. And in many cases, you get to see the complete spectrum of
animal behaviours as fish interact with one another, mate, breed, raise
offspring, fight over territories, communicate threats, and so on.>
You research, use common sense, feed properly, change something as
simple as WATER and you get the immediate good results of healthy,
active, growing & attentive fish. Compared to dogs & livestock, it's so
low maintenance with such high rewards. I wish more people could know
that.
<Ah, but so many people experience the problems of starting out...
overstocking, under-filtration, immature biological filter media,
incompatible species, and so on. End result, they imagine fishkeeping is
difficult.>
And I wish more people could become more attached to their fish as they
do their other pets so they would know what I'm talking about.
When I moved this Oscar to his 6' tank from his previous tank he didn't
miss a beat. The new tank was completely unfamiliar but instead of being
stressed he swam immediately to the front glass where my hand was and
leaned against the glass by my hand and looked around. To me that was
proof that he honestly does "know" me and "trust" me. In unfamiliar
surroundings he came straight to where he knew the security was. If
that's not a "true pet", I don't know what is.
<Absolutely!>
Thank you,
Mitzi
<take care, Neale.> |
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Keeping Oscars - 4/7/07
Hey there. I was just wondering about the conditions of my Oscars. I
have five 2-3 inch Oscars in a 56 gallon tank. I know, its bad. I have two
tigers and three albinos. I had 6 Oscars to begin with, but I lost that one to a
bad condition of fin rot. I didn't know if it was my fault, or if it was
just there when I bought him. My tigers keep growing and one of my albinos
remain the same size, except one. And that one is a little smaller then
my biggest tiger, and he has gashes on his head, and I was wondering if that
was fighting or was hole-in-the-head? I do put in about 30-40 feeders every two
weeks about. I know that's really bad too, but I am only fourteen, so my
parents insist on buying feeders for them. What is the best food for them, and
do you have any recommendations for me? Thanks =]
< You already know you have many problems with this tank. At fourteen you are
old enough to understand what is needed and hopefully will follow my
recommendations for the sake of the animals. Lets start with water changes. You
need to be changing at least 30% of the water weekly. While changing the water
you should gravel vac half the tank to remove the mulm that has accumulated
there. Clean the filters every other week. The filter should be pumping at least
200 GPH. Feeder fish introduce diseases and have very little nutritional value.
Try feeding high quality pellet food instead. For a treat give them washed
earthworms, mealworms, kingworms and crickets. They are healthy, do not
introduce diseases and kind of fun to watch the Oscars eat them. Conventional
fish foods like flake and frozen are also very good for them. As conditions
improve you Oscars should be growing strong and healthy. The gashes on the head
of the Oscars may start to heal up. If not try to feed them medicated foods with
Metronidazole in it.-Chuck>
Very Spoiled Oscar Questions, nod to Sab, 6/13/06
Hi! I hope there isn't a limit to the number of emails a person can send?
<Heeee! I wish there were a number to those I answer!>
I think this is my 4th. Thank you for all the great information and advice you
have on your site (even the "bad" news kind). Also, please forward my thanks to
Sabrina.
<Ah, will do>
She answered an email about my female Betta Splendens last month. Sadly, she
died, but at least her last days were in water that was only dechlorinated, with
a little API aquarium salt added. I'm sure it was easier for her, if dying can
be considered easy, than being in the 'toxic soup' of medications I'd been
subjecting her to. I just wish I'd emailed sooner!
My email today, is in regard to my husband's Tiger Oscar, Vinny (Astronotus
ocellatus). We've had him about a month to six weeks. He was about 2 inches
when we got him, and I'd estimate him to be 3 & 1/2 to 4 inches now. He is in a
fully cycled 30 gallon tank. Now, I know this is the part where you start
getting annoyed, followed by cursing under your breath, possibly yelling at my
email, perhaps making rude gestures, and finally in utter frustration, banging
the keyboard against your head, but please bare with me.....
<Heeeeeee! Larger tank please>
The tank was cycled, and then inhabited by, 3 Dwarf Gourami, 12 Corydoras
Catfish (mixed), and a school of 18 Harlequin Rasboras prior to Vinny's
occupancy. I had nightmares about the 'cute baby Oscar' eating my beloved Corys
<You are/were right to be concerned here>
when my husband told me he wanted an Oscar, so I made the deal that we'd up
grade the community to larger digs, and then he could have an Oscar. The tank
had/has a Rena Filstar Xp2 (300/gph) and a Penguin 350 dual BioWheel (350/gph)
for filtration. When we moved the 'community' we left the filtration, just took
the fish and their decorations, plants, etc. The Xp2 is running with 4 foam
filters (2 - 20 ppi, 2 - 30 ppi) on the bottom, and a micro-filtration pad on
the top. The center is all bio-media, consisting of a mix of Filstar's Bio-chem
Stars, Fluval's bio-cylinders, and Aqua Clear's Bio-max stones. The 350 has one
Aquatic Gardens replacement filter (the kind with the mechanical pad around the
carbon - looks like three stacked pillows and a blue bio-sponge all inside a
frame). In addition, there is a net bag with Seachem's Biostones, the wheel
from a now defunct Penguin 150 (it was fully mature, and I didn't want to lose
the colony on it), and 2 Fluval 1 Plus foam sponges (had them, don't have the
unit anymore, so figured why not). The water flows freely to both sides, so the
media compartment is full, but not stuffed (no overflow, good, steady and even,
return water from both sides). I also have a Whisper 60 air pump (with backflow
valve) hooked up to/running a 4 inch airstone bar, a 3 inch airstone circle,
and a simple sponge filter (for 25 gallons - "maturing" it for use, when needed,
in a sick/quarantine/fry type applications).
<Good>
The tank has two 75 watt heaters (one on each end). For decoration Vinny has
two 10 inch (diameter) fake water lilies floating on the surface (he likes to
sit/float/hover under them). He has about 1/3 of the bottom covered with around
1/2 to 3/4 inch of gravel and smooth 'river' rocks, the rest (mostly under the
log) is bare. The gravel and stones cover the two air stones, which form a nice
bubble-wall across the end of one side of the tank. He plays in the bubbles
daily. Lastly, he has a large fake log. It's a very large log! It takes up
about 1/2 of the bottom of the tank from side to side, about 1/4 to 1/3 the
height, and 2/3 of the bottom from front to back. It's open on both ends and
has a hole in one side toward the center. He'd had a small flat top cave the
first couple weeks, but was already outgrowing it. I guess my husband figured
the new log would last him a lot longer! He gets a 50% water change weekly.
<I'd restrict this to about a quarter per week/time>
I use Tetra's Aqua Safe OR Kordon's Nova Aqua Plus + OR Seachem's Prime, to
condition the new water, which is matched to the tank water's temperature. I
also use a dose of Hagen's Cycle, API's Stresszyme, Mardel's A.C.T., OR
Seachem's Stability with each water change. The filters are serviced
bi-monthly, alternating weeks (i.e.: week 1 the 350, week 2 the Xp2, week 3 the
350, an so on).
<Good practice>
I rinse the pads/foam in discard water only. I replace the Xp2's pads
alternately every other month (1 30ppi and 1 20ppi is new and the other 2 are
mature at any given time). The micro pad I change every two weeks, since it
doesn't rinse well. I usually leave the bio-medium alone, or do a light
swishing in discard water (while it's in the basket). I don't normally replace
it, should I be?
<No... should last for years... with the occasional rinse...>
I replace the 350's filter (mechanical/chemical) part every two weeks, but just
rinse the bio-sponge. The rest (150's BioWheel, Fluval Sponges, etc) I usually
leave alone, other than to rinse them at least monthly (again swishing in the
discard bucket). In between water changes we also have an Eheim battery
operated hand vacuum than I use to help contain the mess Vinny makes (which is
also why he doesn't have full gravel, so I can see when he has build up) He
gets fasted for one 24 hour period weekly. We feed him Hikari's Cichlid Staple
mini pellets, Hikari's Cichlid Gold mini pellets, HBH's Super Soft Pellets with
Krill, Tetra's Baby Shrimp (Sun dried Gammarus), Hikari's Freeze-dried Ocean
Plankton, and Tetra's Food sticks (the smaller ones). I make sure he gets three
of the Cichlid pellets twice a day (6 total between the Gold and Staple), along
with one mouthful of the Plankton after the pellets, each of the two
feedings. My husband usually gives him the HBH soft pellets and/or the baby
shrimp "snacks" two or three times a day. I try to limit the "snacks" to one or
two pellets and one or two of the baby shrimp, but I'm going on trust that he's
not sneaking Vinny extra. Since Vinny can move around the tank, and hasn't
quadrupled in girth, I'm assuming he's not being overfed? Should he be getting
more? I imagine he could bolt down a lot more in 2 or 3 minutes time. He
usually only gets the food sticks (2) at the meal before his water change. He's
very piggy with them, and has been know to 'spew' chunks all around him so he
has room for the second one. Then he goes around and picks up the chunks after
he's finished the second one. Out of necessity, we've been getting more
accurate on guessing whether he's had time to finish the first one, or not. He
has two 'toys' in his tank. A golf ball size whiffle ball (hollow with lots of
holes) that he pushes around, chases when it's in the filter current, or pushes
into the glass to get attention (my husband unwittingly reinforced that
habit). He also has a plastic plant. It has a small (non-toxic) weight wrapped
around it's base, to keep it on the bottom of the tank. He lays next to it, and
moves it a little, but seems to like the ball better. I use 5 in 1 stick tests
(Mardel or Jungle) 3 to 5 times a week, and do liquid tests twice weekly. I
test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH. The stick does GH and kH as
well. I do the liquid GH and kH tests once every 4 to 6 weeks. His tank tests
are: Ammonia: 0, Nitrites: 0, Nitrates: 20-30ppm (usually 20), kH: 11, and
pH is 8.0 by stick and liquid test and 7.8 per the electric gadget my husband
got (not sure I trust it). His temp. is stable at 77/78 degrees (have a
thermometer on each end). I also have a Seachem ammonia alert badge in the tank
as a backup. So, if you're still with me, my questions are: 1. Is it possible
to keep him in the 30 gallon, meet AND still exceed his needs, or are we doomed
to failure?
<Will need to be moved to larger quarters in time... You might use the limit of
20ppm of nitrate as a guide as to when...>
2. Do all Oscars try to damage/eat/rearrange the equipment in their tank?
<Oh yes...>
He's shown no interest in the heaters, thermometers, ammo. badge, filter
intakes, etc. Is it wishful thinking that he won't start tearing the tank up?
<Likely so>
I'm not counting the gravel, he can move it to his heart's content. I look at
it like the 'tank is for him, not for me' line of thought. If I wanted a
'garden' I'd dig one in the back yard.... wanted a pretty picture, I'd hang it
on the wall, sort of thing. I'm mainly concerned about him hurting
himself...... Vinny vs. Electricity...... doesn't seem like it would have a
great outcome. 3. Can a fish get burned on a submersible heater?
<Yes... more possibility of breakage, electricity troubles here though... When
this fish is larger, in its bigger quarters, there are ways you can remote or
surround the heater/s to avoid such>
I've seen things about putting a piece of pvc pipe over the heater? Would an
in-line heater in the canister's return line be a better way to go?
<Yes... as stated, will want to do with move to a bigger tank... when Vinny is
larger...>
4. What other kinds of 'toys' are safe/suitable for an Oscar?
<Most anything plastic...>
The plant was a no brainer, as it was aquarium safe. The whiffle ball was
harder, but since it wasn't colored, was too big to swallow, too small to scare
him, and light enough not to break/crack the glass, we let him have it, after
I'd thoroughly rinsed it in hot water. However, finding other items hasn't been
working out. My husband wanted to look at dog and cat toys or baby toys, but I
talked him out of it, since most are colored. I convinced him the dyes in the
plastic could be toxic when mixed with Vinny's water.... baby safe isn't fish
safe.... so to speak. Was I wrong?
<Mmm, "baby safe" is likely okay, chemically inert>
5. Can you estimate/guesstimate how long he'd be better than 'okay' in the 30
gallon?
<Six months perhaps>
For instance, if he only gets to 10 inches, would he be okay to stay in it?
<Mmm, no... will likely want to move when 4-6 inches...>
6. I have an extra filter, a Fluval 3 Plus internal filter (185/gph), should I
hook that up in his tank as well?
<Could>
Is there anything else that I can do to keep him in the 30 gallon
longer/permanently?
<Mmm, if absolutely necessary, an experiment... could continuously to almost
continuously change water... to reduce metabolites and their ill effects>
A larger tank is not an option right now. When it was safe to do so, we added
new members to the new 55 gallon 'community' tank, so they can't go back into
the 30 gallon. We have 6 more Harlequin Rasboras (total school of 24) plus the
12 Corys, and 9 mixed Platys. The three Dwarf Gouramis were moved to a 20 long,
along with the male Platys (THAT is another long story). We don't have room for
another 55 gallon (or the money for that matter). Returning Vinny is not an
option, my husband is completely attached to him. Any tips, pointers,
suggestions, etc would be most appreciated. Thank you!!
<I strongly suspect that you two are "evolving" your hobby into more advanced
groups of fishes... will either "find room" or move the Oscar to the 55... Can
saltwater, reef systems be very far ahead? We'll see. Bob Fenner>
Very Spoiled Oscar Questions, nod to Sab, and a nod back - 06/14/2006
Hi! I hope there isn't a limit to the number of emails a person can send?
<Heeee! I wish there were a number to those I answer!>
I think this is my 4th. Thank you for all the great information and advice you
have on your site (even the "bad" news kind). Also, please forward my thanks to
Sabrina.
<Ah, will do>
<<I'm glad to have helped, or at least glad fo having tried to help.>>
She answered an email about my female Betta Splendens last month. Sadly, she
died,
<<I'm so sorry to hear this, Heidi.>>
but at least her last days were in water that was only dechlorinated, with a
little API aquarium salt added. I'm sure it was easier for her, if dying can be
considered easy, than being in the 'toxic soup' of medications I'd been
subjecting her to.
<<I'm sure you made her as comfortable as possible.>>
I just wish I'd emailed sooner!
<<No worries.... We do what we can. You did the best you knew to do. I'm glad
you wrote to us at all, and gave us and yourself a chance to learn
together. Wishing you and all the lives in your care well, -Sabrina>>
Totally blind Oscar - 2/15/2006
Hi there am Robyn, i
<I>
have a 4 ft tank with a pacu,
<Too small for this fish ultimately>
koi and snakehead in it, about a week ago i got a call from my mum who works in
an aquarium shop, she said she had a blind Oscar in quarantine, he was given to
them about a week previous, they had managed to hand feed him cockle and a
little bloodworm, i took him home and put him in my tank, i have managed to get
him feeding cichlid floaters if i can get them gathered on the top at one side
and i feed him these by hand, also cockle and prawns, thing is this eye thing
has obviously developed and not been a birth defect so i was wondering if you
had any idea what it is?
<?>
it is like the pupil of the eye is totally orange around the pupil is black,
there is no white cloud and as my mum knows her stuff i can say he
definately has no communicable diseases i.e ich, slime and velvet etc, he
definately cannot see a thing! Any ideas?
<Genetic/developmental of some sort...>
and if so is there any way of treating it?
<Not as far as I'm aware>
He seems happy in my tank the pacu and koi look after him (my pacu is the most
docile friendly thing) and i am managing with hand feeding but if i could cure
him i would prefer. oh he is about 4 inches and is black with a few orange bits,
i know black is a bad colour but i have been told this is just because he is
young and he will colour up. Thanks for any help.
<Likely to stay blind/this way. Not catching as you say. Bob Fenner>
Oscars and "Feeders" - 08/17/2005
I have 2 large Oscars (one red and one tiger) in a 55 gallon tank with no
other fish except a Plecostomus.
<Too small for these animals....>
I recently did a full water change/tank cleaning and gave them some feeders (I
only do this every couple of months).
<The full water change is rarely a good approach - on your tank, I would
recommend weekly water changes of about 30%, or more/more frequently, depending
upon your nitrate levels and how quickly they build up. Err, and NEVER feed
your fish unquarantined live "feeder" fish!! This is almost a 100% guarantee
that you will introduce parasites, bacteria, or other disease to your animals.>
Now my red has developed a bulge on his left side (there is a slight protrusion
on the right but not as prominent) and he is mouthing like he is having a hard
time breathing.
<A number of possibilities.... if he is not defecating, I would suspect he may
be constipated. I would add Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to the water at a
rate of 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons.>
He is also not eating his usual pellets which he is usually very excited to get.
The tiger is showing none of these symptoms. I have had these two for almost six
years, since they were babies, and have never seen anything like this. I did a
lot of reading and searching for fish with these symptoms and from everything
that you have said (in answer to others questions) this could be an internal
infection?? The people at the fish store don't seem to informed about Oscars and
their behavior and told me that he is possibly is having a hard time digesting
the feeders?? That just doesn't seem right?
<Mm, possibly right, to an extent.... Feeder goldfish are a horrible nutrition
for an Oscar (or most other fish, for that fact). I would not be surprised if
the Oscar has a gut blockage from this sort of a meal. Be pleased if that's the
only problem from it.... and be on the lookout for parasitic infestation,
bacterial illness....>
Please help. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, -Trouble in
Jersey
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/goldfshfd.htm and
the links, in blue, at the top of that page, for more information. Wishing you
well, -Sabrina>
My Oscar needs Help!!
Hi,
<Hello there>
I was searching on the internet and found your site....I hope you can help
me!!??
<Will try>
I have an Oscar, along with 2 other Cichlids. Recently, the Oscar has been
bullied by the larger of the 2 other Cichlids...I believe they are Texas
Cichlids (?) I have attached photos of my Oscar's injuries. He has missing
scales from scraping the stones...those do seem to heal rather quickly...but I
am mostly concerned about the red pimple-like bump on his lip (he's had for over
a month) and the large superficial gash above his right eye, which I believe he
got by jumping up and hitting the tank lid....he likes to jump and has even
jumped form the tank before!!! I am in the process of getting a larger tank to
help with the territory issue which may be causing the aggression, however,
should I be concerned about his wounds??? And if so, what can I do??? I do
change the water about 30% every 1 to 2 weeks along with the gravel...I would
appreciate any advice you can give!!! I am really worried about his health and
recovery.
Thanks so much!!!
<You need to separate the Oscar ASAP... the aggression is the root cause of the
problem/s here... treating the injuries for it is futile. Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/oscars.htm
the above linked files re Oscar Behavior, Compatibility, Systems, Disease. Bob
Fenner>
Albino Oscar
Hey guys I don't know if you have answered this or not but I have had an
albino Oscar for about 4 months and he is 4 to inches long. I want to buy a
new one but I know they don't sell them that big. If I was to buy one would the
bigger one kill the smaller one or would they get along? I want to know
before I go buy another one. <Carl, there is a real good chance that the
smaller one would be killed. In the future, please capitalize your "i's" as it
requires more time preparing the return. These have to be edited before being
placed in the FAQ's. James (Salty Dog)>
Oscar
Ok another quick question if I was to buy another one, what size would it
have to be so I would not have to worry bout one being killed. <I would get one
close to the same size and make sure you don't have two males. James (Salty
Dog)>
Oscar-apalooza!
How do to tell between male and female? <Carl, please, no abbreviations
etc. The male has a longer dorsal fin, more pointed on the end. Your dealer
would/should know this info also. James (Salty Dog)>
Ok another quick question if I was to buy another one, what size would it have
to be so I would not have to worry bout one being killed. <I would get
one close to the same size and make sure you don't have two males. James
(Salty Dog)>
Bertha (red Oscar)
hi everyone
I adopted an Oscar a few days ago. since she has been home, she has been acting
very sporadic. bertha will swim from the top of the tank to the bottom with her
mouth open, as if she was going to eat a fish.. jiggling back and forth also. I
have also noticed she likes to try to bite both of my filters as if she is
trying to move them down or somewhere else). same thing with a silicone hose I
have with a air rock at the end of it, she likes to bite it and try to move it
is this normal behavior for bertha or is something up with her that I just don't
see??,,she looks healthy, is eating a lot, and has no signs (at least I think)
of any bacterial virus. water is fine( I did a 3/4 tank change today, and it
seems that all is well. is it just bertha being bertha (her personality) or
should I be scared??
< Welcome to the wacky world of Oscars and other large neotropical cichlids. The
behavior is actually quite normal. Bertha is actually rearranging her territory
to her liking.-Chuck>
thanks for your help
mike and bertha (the red Oscar)
ps.,, love your web site!
Lazy Oscar/High Nitrates
Hello, I just purchased a 1" Tiger Oscar - by recently, I mean yesterday.
When I got home, he seemed ill before I even got him out of the bag. He was just
resting on the bottom of the bag on his side. When I moved the bag, he would
swim around a bit, but then just settle back to the bottom again. Since the
store was already closed by then, I let him loose into the tank to see how he
fared. He swam about for a minute or two, but then settled down to the bottom
again. Every once in a while for the rest of the night, I would take a look
over, and he would be in a different spot - but never saw him swimming around.
After I turned out the light for the night, I noticed he began swimming around
quite a bit. Now this morning, I noticed that as soon as I turned on the light
and went to feed him, he stopped swimming and rested down to the bottom again.
Whenever I looked over today, he seemed to be on his side on the bottom. But
now, from across the room, I see him swimming around rather energetically. But
as I just walked over to the tank, he swam to the corner and rested on the
bottom. However, there are no visual symptoms of any illnesses, that I can see.
The only water condition that I am adjusting is the nitrates - any suggestions
as to how to lower that? The only thing I've found so far is to do water
changes, but that hasn't been successful in any of my tanks so far. So,
basically, what I'm asking is do you think he could be lazy, or just nervous
around me and his new surroundings? Or could there be something actually wrong
with him?
Thanks,
Brian
<Hi Brian, Don here. I think he may have been in the bag a little too long.
That, combined with the stress of a new home. Don't feed him for a day or two.
He won't eat anyway. Let him get good and hungry. Do a few extra water changes.
He should recover and start to hunt around the tank in a few days. Don't feed
until then. If there are other fish in the tank, they'll be fine. Watch for
aggression though. Hope this is a big tank. As to the nitrate question. Nitrate
is the end result of the ammonia cycle. It will always raise in a well
established aquarium. In a cichlid tank there is nothing you can do except large
and frequent water changes. With smaller fish plants would help. Make sure you
use a gravel vac when removing water. The fish waste and uneaten food will add
to the nitrates faster than your Oscar! Move rocks, driftwood and clean up under
them. Then limit the number of fish per tank and feed lightly. Adjust your water
change schedule to keep nitrates under 20ppm. If you're doing more than two a
week, you have too many fish. Unless your source water has nitrate <US Federal
Standard is under 5ppm for drinking water> the only way it enters your tank is
in the fish's food. Eaten or not it ends up as nitrate and MUST be removed with
water changes. Getting the waste out before it decays is very important to
nitrate control>
Angry Oscar
Hi you guys. First wanted to compliment you all on a terrific site.
Your information has been critical to my success. I currently have a 60 gallon
somewhat community tank, two eight month old albino Oscars, three clown
loaches, and two Synodontis cats) and a 55 gallon tall for my marine fishes,(
one zebra and one snowflake, one bursa trigger, and a stars and stripes puffer;
all
juvenile) I will get them they're 180 next summer. ALL fish seem to be thriving
and I wanted to thank you all.
O.k. Now that I got that out of the way, here's my question. My uncle has
an overstocked 29 gal with an Oscar, two Pacus, two clown loaches, a
tinfoil barb and Plecostomus. The other day he told me his fish shattered the
glass heater while it was plugged in. (I figure it had to of been plugged in
for
at least a couple hours before he noticed it.) He unplugged it, cleaned out the
glass and bought a new heater. Since it happened he said the Oscar has gone
from good to bad. He hides all the time and doesn't hardly eat. He also bumps
the new heater and stares at it a lot. I was just wondering what you make of
this behavior, and what to expect.
< Cichlids in general are territorial. As the Oscar chases the fish around it
probably smashed the glass heater. Cichlids are not dumb and are quite capable
of learning. I think you Oscar had a pretty bad experience with the heater and
is not ready to go through the same experience again. Hopefully the new heater
is unbreakable. Over time the Oscar will be back to his old self. Rearrange the
tank and help take his mind off the heater. A new bigger tank probably wouldn't
hurt either.-Chuck>
Thanks again,
Mike
Parasites on Oscar-help needed
I recently- as in a week ago- purchased a huge Oscar. say, the size of a good
panfish.
anyways, he had some spots on him in the pet store; they looked like scars,
since he/she was kept in a ten gallon aquarium, I assumed it was from hitting
the glass.
I was SO wrong!!!
today (the 18th) a friend was looking at her and said "are these
parasites?" sure enough, she has little parasites. they look like water fleas
of some sort. clear, many legged, tails. almost microscopic. They stay next to
their particular 'hole' in her skin, and don't scrape off. Its scary, but I did
try to scrape one off of her with my fingers (and a big glove... she's a little
testy).
I have a saltwater tank, and did try a very short saltwater dip. I don't know
if that will hurt her long term, so it was either too short to do anything, or I
didn't have high enough salinity.
So, can you think of anything? the other fish in the tank is a violet goby (I
know, supposed to be brackish) couple goldfish (feeders and one big one) and
guppies. THEY WERE ON HER when I got her, I just didn't see them. I'm looking
for name and treatment of these suckers.
< You probably have fish lice. Clean the filters and do a 30% water change.
Treat with fluke tabs or parasite clear. Follow the directions on the package
regardless of which one you choose.-Chuck>
TIA!!!
New baby Tiger Oscar acting strangely, and odd back coloring
Hello there, I just bought a baby (1.5 inch) Tiger Oscar yesterday night, and
*almost* all seemed well in the pet store and at home until this morning,
when I was first able to get a really good look at it in the daylight, and I
noticed a few things I'm now concerned about.
Anyway, problem one: the little critter sometimes swims slightly lop-sided, with
no side preference, but seems to be perfectly fine most of the time (this
was the only odd thing I noticed in the pet store; the clerk said that it was
because the store's filter was too strong for these tiny things, but mine now
does it even when s/he's far from the filter) Is this something to be worried
about, or am I just paranoid?
Problem 2: the coloring on it's back is a different color than the rest of its
body, like someone put a sheet of opaque brown plastic over it (sorry if my
analogies don't make much sense, I just can't get a picture right now). The
color that should be orange is nearly the same color as what should be black. Is
this a disease, or how babies are supposed to look, or my paranoia?
Problem 3: the fish is swimming to the surface sometimes, and either glaring at
the bubbles from my filter, or otherwise just seeming to stare upwards for
a while and maybe swim with its head pointed diagonally up. I'm just worried
about this for some reason.
Last problem: it seems to like to swim downwards through the bubbles my air
stones produce. Is it having trouble breathing, or does it actually like to do
that just for fun?
As you can see, I'm completely new to this species (although it is already in a
30 gallon tank, with a 55 gallon in storage) and don't know much about its
behavior.
< None of the behaviors you describe sound normal. Make sure that the water is
around 80 degrees F. The Oscar should be dark grey with a silver grey mottled
pattern. It should act like a little puppy dog and follow you around begging to
be fed. They should be this way in the store before you buy them. Try feeding
him some live food and get him fattened up. If he does not come around in a day
or two then he is probably ill and needs to be treated. With so many things
wrong with your little Oscar it is hard to begin. Keep the water clean and your
fish well fed a watch him closely for signs of a disease. Or you could isolate
him and try treating with Nitrofuranace and see if it has any affect.-Chuck>
Thanks for your help, and also for bearing with me.
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