My baby oscar is not eating. Been 6 days.

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Symplectics

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 8, 2022
25
8
8
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West Virginia
I purchased 2 Oscar’s 6 days ago and 1 of them is doing really bad. It just lays on the sand at the bottom on the tank on its side. He hasn’t eaten a single thing since I got him so I removed him from my 75 gal and put him into my 10 gal QT. I have done 2 doses of general cure over the past 4 days. He seemed to be doing well yesterday but today he’s back to laying in the ground again. I was possibly going to try and force feed him some mushed up peas with general cure mixed in but I have no idea. This is the first sick fish I’ve ever had and I’m at a loss. I have no idea what else to do. Someone please know something on how to help my little guy.
 
The lack of food is probably not the most serious issue to address at this time, as it can go without eating for a while (assuming it was in relatively good health before). However, the latter may not be the case.
Why it is sideways on the bottom is far more important and urgent.
If you provide more details of the fish and of your setup, including water parameters, tank history, and photos, folks here would have more elements to better help you. The more info, the more help possible.
I sincerely hope it pulls through. Good luck!
 
Welcome to the forum! Wish it was under better circumstances.
Is the fish looking thin? Any visible damage? Do you have any pics?
I’d bet that the not eating and laying on the ground are related. Oscars are known to pout but this sounds like a worse issue.
 
I will send pictures when I finish work.

Tank history: it’s a 10 gallon that held 2 neon tetras, 2 amino shrimp, and 1 snail for 2 months. Since the Oscar has come down with an illness I put all the creatures from the 10 gal to a 20gal long. I completely restarted the 10 gal cleaning it spotless and putting new HOB filter on and have a air stone. The tank has sand and volcanic rock on the bottom. I use Quick Start, Prime, and Stress Coat+ in all my tanks.

Water parameters in the 10 gal quarantine tank is: PH- 7.5-7.6, ammonia- roughly .15 ( did a 50% water change yesterday 9/8), Nitrite- 0, nitrate- 0-10 ppm.

I purchased the Oscar like a week ago and put him into a 75 gal with another Oscar and 6 Cory cats. He seemed to be well for about 1 day then started just sitting upright on the bottom on the tank not moving for about 3-4 days. I then removed him and put him into the QT and he’s been there for about 3-4 days now. I’ve done 1 dose of general cure then 2 days later did a 50% water change and another dose of general cure.

sometimes when I walk into the room he’s swimming and acting normal but for about 75-80% of the time he’s just sitting on the bottom of the tank not moving. I’ve tried 5 different types of floating and sinking food going from Ciclid floating pellets to freeze dried shrimp, to staple food, to tetra pellets, to bloodworms and still not interested in anything. The food will literally buy him in the face and helets it fall to the floor not interested.

that’s about all I know and have done. I’ve had fish my entire life but I’m finally truly getting into hobby and taking it seriously. I have a 75 gal, 20 gal, 10 gal and have on order a 60 gal long and a 40 gal high. I love fish and want to be the best fish keeper out there. I have never had a fish this sick let alone treat a sick fish so I am a noob at this stuff.

please let me know if you want more information and I will send pics around 5pm EST.
 
Welcome to the forum! Wish it was under better circumstances.
Is the fish looking thin? Any visible damage? Do you have any pics?
I’d bet that the not eating and laying on the ground are related. Oscars are known to pout but this sounds like a worse issue.
No visible damage, fish is looking THIN, he’s fully black with a little red stripping. His head was almost all grey. I’ll send pics when I get home.
 
Have you noticed any white stringy poo?
How long has the 75 been cycled for?
 
Is ammonia 0 in there or is it elevated as well?
Rocksor Rocksor
kno4te kno4te
duanes duanes
 
force feed him some mushed up peas
Welcome aboard
I suggest not doing this.
Have you noticed any harassment from the other Oscar prior to moving the Oscar to quarantine tank? Also have you noticed any stringy white poop?
 
Is ammonia 0 in there or is it elevated as well?
Rocksor Rocksor
kno4te kno4te
duanes duanes
I did a 50% water change yesterday so the ammonia should be very little if any.
 
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