floating oscar

[jck_krs]

Every morning when I get up and turn on the light my oscar is floating on his side at the top of the tank. the first time I thought he was dead but now its every morning. I was wandering if anyone knew why?

 

[jonahonah]

bladder problem possibly exacerbated by low o2 levels at night?

 

[south coast nelly]

you have plants in tank?
are you sure its fully on its side or just slanted

 

[jck_krs]

no plants And is totally on his side And when I touch him he throws water everywhere and is fine for the rest of the day if it is a bladder problem what can I do

 

[jck_krs]

And my tinfoils are fine. I did a large water change hoping that would help

 

[Bud8Fan]

Maybe he just likes to sleep there

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

Swim bladder infection, maybe? Like fancy goldfish are susceptible to? Try feeding thawed peas to him. I guess that helps.

 

[fishdance]

Oscars are real pigs and if you are feeding dry or floating pellets it is very possible he is over eating and the food is then expanding inside him as it absorbs water. This will add pressure to the swim bladder. You could try not feeding late at night or halving food or switching food. Presoaking is generally not recommended since many vitamins are water soluble and will wash away.

Alternatively he may think floating is the safest place to sleep if your tank has no caves or pots...? He might not like tinfoils bunping into him all night.

 

[cenecker]

Most of the oscars I've had (many) slept on thier sides...but on the bottom of the tank. If he is acting/swimming totally normal except for the first thing in the morning incidents I'd be inclinded to say its normal, but I would definetly keep an eye on him.

 

[amehel0]

could be a nitare or nitite or ammonia spike.