okay, so i just got in from work and saw my 4 inch oscar on the bottom of my 55 gallon tank laying on his side. i don't know what to do. he was breathing really slow, all the test are fine. i thought the water may be too cold so i put some of the cold water in a ziploc with him an set it over in my ten gallon that is usually about 75-80 degrees. the 55 stays right at 68-70. after 20 mnutes i put hin into the tank and he kinda floated a little, swam about four inches and was looking aroud and settled down by the filter intake and is still breathing slow. wtf? what do i do?
HELP QUICK FAILING OSCAR!!!!
- Thread starter Basskeeper
- Start date
My oscar often rests by the filter intake. It is not unusual for them to lay on their sides and rest. If all of the water params are fine I don't know what could be wrong. Does he eat if you offer food to him? You need to also get a heater for the tank.
I think 68-70 is too cold for an Oscar. I bet if you put a heater in there he would perk up and so would his metabolism. When the water is that cold they slow down to conserve energy.
really, too cold? what should it be? and do they slow thier breathing too practically nothing when they rest? how much should i feed him? he is on the kikari flating pellets. the folks at the store put a dozen feeders in the tank and he and his four oscar pals annihilated them. i got him from wall mart for 28 cents cause he was beating up the other oscars. they sold me a goldfish...... if i lose him it would suck but it wouldn't be that big of a loss but he is so pretty. i will post a pic asap...
Oscars are very moody and often times when they're stressed will just lie on the tank bottom. Give him some time to get to know his surroundings and then evaluate from there. 68-70 is a little on the chilly side and I won't say it's good for oscars long term but there should be no problem for right now. I'd still recommend getting a heater and keeping the temp above 74 degrees.
i filled a 20 oz bottle with hot tap water and capped it off and set it in the ten gallon growing tank (sounds rediculous but he likes it better) and upped the temperature over the day slowly and he is still hanging out around the intake and hasn't eaten the betta in the tank with him. hope he doesnt but if he is hungry, that is a good thing i guess... he hasn't eaten yet and i only offer one pellet at a time. he looks at the pellet (i think) but just doesn't seem interested. he did eat a couple of feeders before he left the store. might just not be hungry. i will continue with the hot water botttle and see if he perks up. what kind of heater do i need for my 55? is there one with a thermostat?
Yea 68 is waaayy too cold - id suggest either this one http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+19369&pcatid=19369 (I use these in my 125 and they work great) or this one http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+12060&pcatid=12060 (I use these in my 30 and 75 and they work great too).
Be sure to get the size rated for your aquarium.
Em
Be sure to get the size rated for your aquarium.
Em