I think my Oscar is a moron

[MLEgirl]

my oscar rules the tank without aggression.Ifanybody challenges him he opens his mouth as wide as he can and shakes his butt,dumbfounding his opponant (usually the JD) and the runs away and looks for something to stuff his face with leaving my JD to ponder what just happened and then go back inside his cave.....works everytime.....my JD stays in his cave and my Oscar has free roam of the tank.

 

[Steve737]

my oscar rules the tank without aggression.Ifanybody challenges him he opens his mouth as wide as he can and shakes his butt,dumbfounding his opponant (usually the JD) and the runs away and looks for something to stuff his face with leaving my JD to ponder what just happened and then go back inside his cave.....works everytime.....my JD stays in his cave and my Oscar has free roam of the tank.

Have you been staring at my tank through one of the windows?

That sounds mighty familiar.

 

[atetsade]

no offence but your Oscar is not a moron. I think it's you who is the moron.

just for that i'm going to be mean to him.

 

[bryan.olsen]

hey man, i dont think anyone has said this yet but welcome to MFK and usually the folks here arent like the moron guy. please dont be discouraged by rude remarks. but as you seen there has been some really usefull advice thus far so on behalf of MFK welcome, post away, and learn fromall the knowledge here.

 

[atetsade]

Just kidding.

I realize that 55 is pushing it for an Oscar.

It's just that this fish has always been reticent and shy. I am very much fond of him, but I don't see him emerging from depression any time soon. Of course I try to make him happy. At least until I move far away or something :x

 

[piranhagrowing_guy]

While a 55 isn't ideal for a 12"+ adult O, a 6 month old 8" should be getting by. He must be eating somewhat well, 8" at his age is decent growth. Is he more active with the lights off? My O's have never really liked bright tank lights, so I sometimes slide a sheet of paper between the lights & lid to ease the brightness.

Has his behavior changed at all with the addition of the other cichlids? What kind are they? O's have an aggressive rep but I've always found them pretty mellow for cichlids, with the exception of feeding activity. Could be the new guys are effecting him.

Also what color morph is he? I've been told the pink ones are sometimes a bit more timid than wilds, tigers, and reds. Just something to think about.

my pink luvs me! cause i feed him!!! he's always zoomin around playing i guess.. i gave him a bobber to play with i catch him sometimes playin with it b4 he notices me and wants food he's almost 8 inchs & so so passive,he never shy's away but i guess its just my fish like ppl say.

 

[robmcd]

all oscars are morons.

 

[OneFishTwoFish]

I think you should do the following...

1. Get more filtration.

2. Do more then one 33% water change a week. 33% twice a week or even more may be needed. To know for sure you need too...

3. Buy a testing kit. Test for Nitrites, Ammonia, Nitrates and pH. Read up on cycling a tank then do your tests. Let us know what they read. Also need to know water temp.

 

[ewo]

oscars are not morons i have 1 and he is the coolest thing ive ever owned. except the chasing my tadpoles part but he is quite awsome

 

[carpediem]

I think you should do the following...

1. Get more filtration.

2. Do more then one 33% water change a week. 33% twice a week or even more may be needed. To know for sure you need too...

3. Buy a testing kit. Test for Nitrites, Ammonia, Nitrates and pH. Read up on cycling a tank then do your tests. Let us know what they read. Also need to know water temp.

I agree with this advice but would like to change the order...

1. Buy a testing kit. Test for Nitrites, Ammonia, Nitrates and pH. Read up on cycling a tank then do your tests. Let us know what they read. Also need to know water temp.
This is the most important and VERY first step. We need this information in order to even get started making suggestions. Without this, everything is pure guess work. A lethargic Oscar usually means less than ideal water conditions. We need to pinpoint the condition that is bothering him.

2. Get more filtration.
This can never really hurt but can wait until after you get a test kit and post results.

3. Do more then one 33% water change a week. 33% twice a week or even more may be needed.
The water tests may show this to be necessary, they may not. However, it's hard to do too many water changes.