So I had one oscar and one pleco in my 35 gallon fish tank and they grew out of the tank so I moved them to a new 75 gallon tank with an undergravel filter and it's been about 3 weeks since I set it up and my oscar has been acting weird he is sometimes at the very top of the tank just sitting there or he is hiding at the bottom behind his rock and he also randomly starts ramming into the glass and swimming violently into it and flares out his gills and every few times he rams the glass he shakes his tail straight up and down like he's twitching. I was wondering if this is due to the stress of a new tank or maybe the tank isn't cycled properly? He also has a weird gray spot on his side where it looks like he has missing scales.
Oscar in new tank
- Thread starter Jackthefishlover
- Start date
Starting with the basics what are your water parameters in the new tank? Did you use cycled media from the 35g tank to jump start the cycle? Ocellatus can be huge babies and will sulk after big changes. As far as the spot you’re concerned with please attach a picture or video.
I recommend testing your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) to check if the tank is properly cycled, and consider consulting a vet or fish expert to rule out infections.
Water looks cloudy. What's your w/c schedule? I'd take out the undergravel filter as it can hold a lot of nasties with two heavy bioload fish. I'd look at 2 HOBs (110s) or a canister if that floats your boat. Cloudy water usually indicates a nitrate/ammonia issue. With an oscar and pleco in a 75 you're in for a lot of work keeping water quality up. Post those parameters, actual readings.
The gray patch could just a reaction to stress. I know you said the water parameters are good but can you please post specifics numbers and how you’re testing. The fact that he looks listless on the substrate are again another possible outcome from stress and poor water conditions.
A rapid rise in heterotrophic bacteria is the cause for bacterial blooms which in turn causes a rapid spike in ammonia, but the new nitrifying bacteria are simply to slow to process the current levels of ammonia. So just by looking at the hazy water the tank isn’t finished.
The white/opaque fringe on the dorsal point and tail appears to be ammonia burns. The patch could also be where ammonia has disrupted the slime coat.
Check the expiry date on your test kit/strips as out of date kits will give inaccurate results
Check the expiry date on your test kit/strips as out of date kits will give inaccurate results