Please help a listless oscar

[jr71]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

20ppm

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

41-50%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

I recently purchased a lemon oscar, about 6", to grow out in a 40g breeder tank. The water conditions are good, and I moved a flowerhorn out of the tank just before introducing the oscar. It's been 10 days, and the oscar mostly sits on the bottom. It looks great, so no outward signs of ill health, and it will get up and swim around a little when someone is nearby, but it's shy (rather than approaching) and shows no interest in eating (I tried feeding Hikari cichlid pellets twice). The oscar was behaving normally in the store, and I expected that it might take a little while to be itself in a new tank, but I'm getting a little concerned. It has the tank to itself, I've got only dim lighting, and I'm not sure what to try next. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can offer.

 

[Cadillac15]

Could be pouting. My Oscars do that when I change their tank around. I would try to find out what the store was feeding it to see if you can try that particular food to get it to eat.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; My first WAG is the 40 gallon tank is the culprit along with too few WC (water changes) . Up the WC to two times a week to see if that helps. Then maybe three times a week.
It would be of interest to know the feeding procedures. What food and how much (estimate). Does any food lay about uneaten for days?

If you do get talked into testing the water, also test the source water (TAP) and some distilled water (not de-ionized). Then post results.

Last WAG. Add a hiding place in the tank. Something like a terra cotta pot or some other such. Give the fish a place to run to and it may come around some.

 

[tlindsey]

I recently purchased a lemon oscar, about 6", to grow out in a 40g breeder tank. The water conditions are good, and I moved a flowerhorn out of the tank just before introducing the oscar. It's been 10 days, and the oscar mostly sits on the bottom. It looks great, so no outward signs of ill health, and it will get up and swim around a little when someone is nearby, but it's shy (rather than approaching) and shows no interest in eating (I tried feeding Hikari cichlid pellets twice). The oscar was behaving normally in the store, and I expected that it might take a little while to be itself in a new tank, but I'm getting a little concerned. It has the tank to itself, I've got only dim lighting, and I'm not sure what to try next. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can offer.

Welcome aboard
Agree with S skjl47

 

[jr71]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. Will do another water change + add a hiding spot. I'm less concerned about tap water b/c all fish in other aquariums here are doing well. Just having no luck brining the new one on board. Will report back if/when that changes!

 

[skjl47]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. Will do another water change + add a hiding spot. I'm less concerned about tap water b/c all fish in other aquariums here are doing well. Just having no luck brining the new one on board. Will report back if/when that changes!

Hello; Here is the bottom line about testing. Say you get all the tests done. What can be done? Usually only do more water changes. Of course, you may be one of those unfortunate folks with lousy water. Testing may show problems with supply water. Such does not seem the case if your other tanks and fish are OK.

What is the substrate of the Oscar tank? Sand or what?

 

[jr71]

Hello; Here is the bottom line about testing. Say you get all the tests done. What can be done? Usually only do more water changes. Of course, you may be one of those unfortunate folks with lousy water. Testing may show problems with supply water. Such does not seem the case if your other tanks and fish are OK.

What is the substrate of the Oscar tank? Sand or what?

Right, I understand about supply water. I've kept fish in many tanks in our home for the 16 years we've lived here, no issues with local water. That's not to say something didn't change recently, but since the fish in our other 3 tanks are fine, I'm really not concerned about water supply.

Substrate is a very thin layer of small gravel. Just enough so it doesn't look bare, but not enough to trap much waste. I don't rely on the substrate for bacterial colonization, there are two large sponge filters powered by an Eheim 201 air pump that take care of this very well.

 

[skjl47]

Right, I understand about supply water. I've kept fish in many tanks in our home for the 16 years we've lived here, no issues with local water. That's not to say something didn't change recently, but since the fish in our other 3 tanks are fine, I'm really not concerned about water supply.

Substrate is a very thin layer of small gravel. Just enough so it doesn't look bare, but not enough to trap much waste. I don't rely on the substrate for bacterial colonization, there are two large sponge filters powered by an Eheim 201 air pump that take care of this very well.

Hello; Thanks for the answer on substrate. Had it been sand over an inch thick I was thinking of anerobic pockets which can produce toxic gases. Does not seem the case.
As you likely well know a tank can be run on sponge filters. I have done so many times. They do well except for mechanical filtration so i do some extra vacuum (siphon) of the tank bottom during a WC.

 

[jr71]

Hello; Thanks for the answer on substrate. Had it been sand over an inch thick I was thinking of anerobic pockets which can produce toxic gases. Does not seem the case.
As you likely well know a tank can be run on sponge filters. I have done so many times. They do well except for mechanical filtration so i do some extra vacuum (siphon) of the tank bottom during a WC.

Yep, that's what I've been doing! Thanks for giving this some thought, it's helpful to have extra minds on the case.

 

[LBDave]

Surprised no one has brought up that a 40gal is a little small for a 6" oscar.
Water changes are always good. Make sure the water being added is about the same temp. My oscars get pouty if the added water is too cold.
I wouldnt add a hiding place rock but would make sure lights are not real bright. I would suggest some plants but in a 40gal... is there room?
BTW I get blackworm sticks which are like candy to my oscars. They sink. I would just put in a few and see what happens.