just got my first oscar.. slight problem

[perfect_prefect]

taking out the few hiding spots they have would cause excess stress to the fish you are better off to deal with the hiding and let the fish feel comfortable in its hiding spots. have to figure out a way to coax them out rather than forcing them out.

 

[m1ste2tea]

I got an small oscar resently as well, approx 2" long, and at first he was displaying the same type of behavior. I set up his tank with play sand and slate stones for hiding spots all purchased from home depot. He never came out of the hiding spot when the lights were on so I figured it was too bright for him in the tank and I replaced the play sand with black gravel. He now comes out from the hiding spot every morning like a pup. no more pouting on the gravel and is now eating pretty much from my fingers. Whether or not the tank setup and the behavior change was a coincidence or not I do not know, but I'm leaning towards it being related. I have noticed that your setup is fairly bright, and it sounds like it is very temporary and you are planning to do some more work on it. Are you going for a white/bright theme or are you planning on adding some darker tones in there? IMO it will make your oscars happier and if not then at least your albino will be easier to see.

 

[Conor1148]

this is just a quick cheap setup (already had tank, stand, and stones) until i get my big tank, which i may be upgrading to quicker since i found a guy desperate to get rid of a nice 75 for $50

i found my oscars are both hiding around the heater ALOT, this is really bothering me as my albino left a little bit of scales on it. i thought that maybe theyre cold, but my temp is at 78F.

do i need more hiding spots or is it STILL too cold?

 

[m1ste2tea]

nice find on the 75! IMO when you get the bigger tank, go for a darker scene. as far as temperature goes, I have found my oscar to be more active in warmer waters, about 80-85 degrees... but you know, if you that route you gotta have the water churning pretty well. Funny thing, one week into aquiring my oscar I saw two spots of ick, I quickly treated with a good amount of salt, and cranked up the temp to 90-92 degrees and that made him very active, and is to this day the only fish that survived ick for me.

 

[UTEP]

Usually with any new cichlid I purchase, I always use Blood Worms-for some reason they love it-then I gradually get them on pellets-be careful not to feed them too much live food. I use rocks as caves -have any where you live-river rock for example or lava rock-make good hiding spots and appealing to the eye.

 

[Conor1148]

nice find on the 75! IMO when you get the bigger tank, go for a darker scene. as far as temperature goes, I have found my oscar to be more active in warmer waters, about 80-85 degrees... but you know, if you that route you gotta have the water churning pretty well. Funny thing, one week into aquiring my oscar I saw two spots of ick, I quickly treated with a good amount of salt, and cranked up the temp to 90-92 degrees and that made him very active, and is to this day the only fish that survived ick for me.

i will go bump up the temp to about 80ish and see what happens. and about the tank, i have yet to get an email from the guy, im not really getting my hopes up now though..

Usually with any new cichlid I purchase, I always use Blood Worms-for some reason they love it-then I gradually get them on pellets-be careful not to feed them too much live food. I use rocks as caves -have any where you live-river rock for example or lava rock-make good hiding spots and appealing to the eye.

i got some bloodworms but forgot all about them after i put them in the freezer, ill go drop one or two in!