About a week ago my 10" Oscar stopped eating and began to do the gasping thing. His teammates of many years were fine. I put him in the 55g quarantine tank to recovery from his ailment. I am happy to report he is much better now. He also has gotten his appetite back. My issue is, however, is that be insists on spitting out his old food. At least he's trying to eat. He likes Hikari red and green pellets with the occasional krill pellets. I request advice/recommendations as to where to go from here. Should I be patient and give him no other options? Should I try something else? I appreciate your help and time.
Request recommendations for a recovering Oscar.
- Thread starter tigs51
- Start date
An Oscar of that size can go many weeks without eating. They do sometimes get bored with the same offerings. I would ask the same as above though.... what did you do while the fish was in the qtank?
I monitored him and checked the water as necessary. Water specs are SAT. (They were in the prior tank as well). Within a few hours of placing him in the AT tank, he seemed to be rapidly improving upon the state he was in while in his old tank. Because of the visual signs of recovery, I did not "do" anything else. He's still doing well.
Has he started to eat or still spitting the food ?
If he is still spitting food, be proactive with possible bloat. Consider administering Epsom Salt to clear up the system of possible congestion.
If he is still spitting food, be proactive with possible bloat. Consider administering Epsom Salt to clear up the system of possible congestion.
He is spitting his food. He does like aquarium salt. Is there a difference between that and Epsom salt? Also, the QT tank is slightly closer to natural light (not near direct sunlight). It's probably me, but his black markings seem to look more grey. Again, I greatly appreciate everyone's help.
There is a difference between the two, epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, while aquariam salt is sodium chloride. Epsom salt can be purchased at any drug store. Used as a bath disolve one teaspoon in 5 gallons of tank water. Use a 5 gallon bucket and let the fish sit in this for 20 - 30 mins. Remove the fish and place back into the tank, while the fish is in the bath do a 50% water change in the main or QT tank which ever the fish will be going into. The change in color of his pattern is a mood thing and caused by stress. The epsome salt will clear the system. Fast the fish for a few days before trying to feed it again.