Juvenile Oscar - no appetite, swims 'tipsy'

[Mikay]

Tank: 29 gal
PH 7.5
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 10
Temp 78

Tank has been set up for about a month. Two oscars in tank, one is in great health. The one in question appears normal, other than a little thin, and doesn't eat. He'll move around the tank as if he's thinking about it, but never eats. Swimming, he seems to act a little 'tipsy' but does not hang at the top or bottom and moves around actively like the other one...just appears a little 'off balance' at times.

The oscars are juveniles, about 2.5 to 3 inches in length.

Yes, I know I'll need a bigger tank, picking up a 90 tomorrow to get ready for when they mature.

Color appears good, no ick, no hith, no fin rot. Any ideas?

 

[Memphis10]

What are you trying to feed them?

 

[bob965]

You shouldn't have any nitrite in a properly cycled tank. That's probably your problem. Do water changes to keep your levels in check until your filter catches up.

 

[Mikay]

Feeding Wardley cichlid flakes and freeze dried bloodworms.

I'll do a water changeout at once and continue to do so. Any other thoughts?

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[Mikay]

Oscar has gone downhill since last post. He's thinner, still not eating, now swimming more erratically if at all. The other oscar looks fine and has a healthy appetite.

Did daily partial water changeouts, everything is reading wonderfully, yet this poor little guy continues to go downhill. Any ideas?

 

[Noddy]

Nitrite levels should be at an undetectable level at all times after the tank has fully cycled. Not as dangerous as ammonia, but still a highly toxic chemical, Nitrite causes stress for fish even as low as 0.5 ppm. Levels exceeding 10-20 ppm are lethal over a period of time.
Keep up with the water changes, add prime, feed a varied diet but not too much.
Did you clean your filter lately?
I guess you know that your tank is gonna be way too small for 2 Oscars given time, do you have another tank for them or are you planning to upgrade in the near future?
Nitrates are gonna be very hard to keep low if your fish get bigger!

 

[Mikay]

I have a 55 which will be their next home. Eventually, they'll be in a 100+ gal built into a wall but I think I can get to spring before I need to worry about that.

Thanks for the advice, will keep changing water.

 

[TwistedPenguin]

A nitrite of 1-2 ppm is deadly and yours is 10, that's the problem. I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope of a fish being able to survive that high of a nitrite reading.