HELP! Baby Oscar fish in trouble!

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S

(S)kittles

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jan 7, 2009
28
6
33
Northeast
He is new to our "baby" tank just last week and when we moved this past weekend we decided to take the divider out. There are three babies currently waiting to be big enough for the big tank. They're all around the same size (about 4 inches) though the tiger is sliiiightly bigger then the two albinos.

We thought that with the move it would rearrange the "territory" a bit and at first it did, they were fine all together. I noticed yesterday the tiger was picking on the other two so we put the divider back in and that the new albino was cowering horribly behind a large air stone.

Today, the new albino isn't moving much. He's out from behind the air stone but he won't move his tail, he's lost his coloration a bit (I thought the tiger might have been taking his scales off?), he barely breathes, and won't leave the bottom of the tank to eat. It's like he's paralyzed except for the occasional pectoral fin movement.

This is nothing we've ever dealt with before. Our current biggest Oscar (14 inches) is such a lover and the second biggest is handicapped. They've never fought despite INCHES of size difference, even when they were smaller.

I don't know if this is some sickness that I can treat that he got from being in the pet store or if this is something I just have to wait out and he'll heal. I did see a few days ago he had a strange tremor, almost like a seizure. Is it possible that he got nerve damage or something?
 
(S)kittles said:
He is new to our "baby" tank just last week and when we moved this past weekend we decided to take the divider out. There are three babies currently waiting to be big enough for the big tank. They're all around the same size (about 4 inches) though the tiger is sliiiightly bigger then the two albinos.

We thought that with the move it would rearrange the "territory" a bit and at first it did, they were fine all together. I noticed yesterday the tiger was picking on the other two so we put the divider back in and that the new albino was cowering horribly behind a large air stone.

Today, the new albino isn't moving much. He's out from behind the air stone but he won't move his tail, he's lost his coloration a bit (I thought the tiger might have been taking his scales off?), he barely breathes, and won't leave the bottom of the tank to eat. It's like he's paralyzed except for the occasional pectoral fin movement.

This is nothing we've ever dealt with before. Our current biggest Oscar (14 inches) is such a lover and the second biggest is handicapped. They've never fought despite INCHES of size difference, even when they were smaller.

I don't know if this is some sickness that I can treat that he got from being in the pet store or if this is something I just have to wait out and he'll heal. I did see a few days ago he had a strange tremor, almost like a seizure. Is it possible that he got nerve damage or something?
Click to expand...

Its called acclimation!!! The new guys scared and shy, give it a week and he will be energetic!! Make sure theres enough hiding spaces and caves, u can find your own rocks, rinse them and make free caves and formations, that way theyll all be more comfortable!

#1 S. Vettel
 
F1 VET said:
Its called acclimation!!! The new guys scared and shy, give it a week and he will be energetic!! Make sure theres enough hiding spaces and caves, u can find your own rocks, rinse them and make free caves and formations, that way theyll all be more comfortable!

#1 S. Vettel
Click to expand...

+1

Oscars are real drama queens. They get depressed and shy just like people do. If there's no signs of physical injuries, just give him time and he'll come around. I have 3 oscars in a 125g and they all have there own personality. Whenever I rearrange the tank or do a cleaning they usually go pale and become depressed for a few hours. New oscars in a new environment will sometimes sulk for days. As far as the shaking goes, my oscars do that to. I think its a sign of aggression cause it usually happens just before or after a scuffle. There's likely nothing to worry about. As stated above, your oscars will need plenty of hiding spots due to there aggressive nature.

Enjoy the oscars! your in for a treat! One of the most enjoyable fish to own imo. :thumbsup:
 
Thank you all for your replies!!

I know what acclimation is. He has been in there for a week. And yes, of course, he was shy for a few days and then started showing his personality just like the other two that had been there for a while. He was coming around quite nicely until the move. The other two have pretty much gone back to how they were before the move, he's declined into trying to become a part of the rocks.

And It's not that he's pale, it's like a few parts that have turned white and don't have the same "luster" as the rest of his scales.

Regardless, I hope you two are right and I hope to see him come around soon.
 
On second thought, I was trying to take some pictures of him and he turned a little bit and it looks like there is white fungus growing on the part where his scales are missing (I'm almost definitely sure they're missing now). So, dosing with some anti-fungal medication.

The others seem to be fine, so I think I'm just going to put him in a quarantine tank with his own cave and whatnot.
 
(S)kittles said:
On second thought, I was trying to take some pictures of him and he turned a little bit and it looks like there is white fungus growing on the part where his scales are missing (I'm almost definitely sure they're missing now). So, dosing with some anti-fungal medication.

The others seem to be fine, so I think I'm just going to put him in a quarantine tank with his own cave and whatnot.
Click to expand...

Are you sure its fungus? When fish lose there scales (or chunks of flesh) the part underneath will turn greyish white as its healing. The healing process happens relatively quick. I'd be very cautious about using anti fungal medication as that might kill him in his already stressed state. Do you have any pics of it?
 
Does the healing part look like fungus? It's fuzzy and sticks out quite a bit, maybe half a centimeter or so. It was grayish white (the healing bit) and today it's fuzzy.

I can take a picture on my phone but I can't post it on here from there.
 
I think they'll be fine. When i had my oscars they use to chase each other around also, but now their living peacefully together.
 
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