What's wrong with my Oscar?

[petspoiler]

that many convicts likely have breeding pairs, which get very aggressive.
very easy to troubleshoot with process of elimination:
remove pairs. or maybe all but the shyest tank mate.
change water.
if no improvement fast, treat for parasites. you don't SEE internal parasites, so it's absolutely useless "looking" for nematodes.

and, PS: the only reason I say to try leaving one nice tankmate is because he may eat better if everything doesn't change at once. but I'd watch any cons with him, if he expects to be intimidated you might need to get a different species for him.

 

[Source310]

He got bullied. Then stressed and now hes sick. I say u watch him for a while n try to figure out whats wrong soon instead of saying its not this n that.

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[coyotethug]

Oscars get stressed from minor things some times and sulk. They will just lay around and get pale. I have had it happen from moving stuff around, adjusting tankmates, even after losing a fish that was a long time tank mate. My guess is he is being stressed by convicts who are prob paring off. Even if they are not beating on him they may be intimidating him.

On the stunting thing, maybe but also maybe not. Fish fed properly (ie not overfed which is the norm in this hobby) that is closer to actual wild levels will grow more slowly but will also display better proportions. Just because you grow it fast, doesn't mean you grow it better.

People here really need to stop trashing others. It is going to kill this forum as well as the pissing contests that seem to be increasing in frequency. Speak to others the same way you would if you were face to face and we will all benefit.

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[koltsixx]

Ok...I understand that bullying is possible for any fish. However, I am telling you that for this Oscar, his issues are not from overcrowding or bullying. I can't tell if I'm being sensitive, but please stop with the disrespect. Just because my post count isn't in the triple digits doesnt mean I don't know how to operate a freshwater test kit and raise healthy fish.

That being said, I've had the Oscar for a little over a year. This problem arose a little over 2 weeks ago, and it comes and goes in waves. Sometimes hell be incapacitated on his side in the back of the tank looking very pale, other times he'll be chasing the convicts in full color. I fed him Cichlid pellets for a while, but he hasn't eaten in weeks. I've been on the lookout for nematodes in the gravel, and coming out of him. I really can't figure it out.

Parameters are healthy and regular fish tanks, and every other fish is in great health. Does anyone have any SUBSTANTIAL ideas?

Okay so people asking questions and offering reasons at your request is disrespectful? Whether you had 1 or 2000 posts people would ask the same questions and make the same suggestions. You do realize your asking for help as to what's wrong, but telling everyone everything is perfect and that you know what's not wrong with the fish. By process of elimination since you know all the things that aren't wrong with the fish you must know the answer to what is wrong. What ever is left must be the answer.

Now some facts
1- if everything was perfect there would be nothing wrong with your fish
2-even if you want to say it's a parasite the fact you had him a year and he's gotten one now would still imply you made a mistake in maintaning him along the way
3-you've yet to mention any symptoms other than him essentially acting stressed, disease has other symptoms and without them it's impossible to help you
4-you've also neglected to mention how long he's been with the Convicts again necessary information to help you and your Oscar
5-everyone makes mistakes even experts, the worse thing in the world is to not be open to the fact that your human and fallible as you can never move forward till you realize where you erred, hence why even people who've kept fish for the majority of their lives still ask questions here. Myself included as I know I still make mistakes.

Truth be told going on what you've mentioned and judging by your aquascape and selection of Convicts as tankmates I'd say your Oscar is stressed.

 

[krustyart]

Just ran the test again now

Ammonia ~0.2 ppm
Nitrite 0.3
Nitrate 25

A fully cycled tank should always have 0.0 Ammonia and Nitrite. Also, anything above 20ppm Nitrate should indicate a huge water change. The reality is that in an overcrowded tank those parameters are hard to maintain. I do feel for ya. Do you have a hospital tank? That Oscar should be moved immediately into at least near-perfect water and be alone with no stress in a dark part of the house. If it's not just plain OLD, it should recover all by itself. IF it does have intestinal parasites, it still has to be in good water and be somewhat relaxed to begin treatment. 10% Flubendazole would be my first choice. Once he starts eating again after about the second of three doses you should start Metrodiazinole laced food. He should probably not ever go back into the tank full of little nippers again.

 

[livebearerfreak]

everything should be 0, besides nitrate, which should not be over 20 ppm..

 

[petspoiler]

(and) don't interpret advise personally- just fix the conditions.
ANYone can develop weak areas in fish keeping. sometimes a blind spot creeps up before we know it

 

[F1 VET]

everything should be 0, besides nitrate, which should not be over 20 ppm..

20ppm n03 max? That is nothing....


There are ray guys here that consider 150ppm a decent amount and the rays still breed. Imo 60–80ppm is my limit.


It's the ammonia and nitrite that needs action, 2x/week 50 percent wc should suffice till the levels are consistently zero.

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[00kevin]

Did a hefty water change yesterday. Still have no clue....

I don't know how I can prove he isn't being bullied. Video?

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[Miguel]

Simply put, your water is toxic. Oscars are much more sensitive than people think.

And yes, overcrowding stresses some fish to death.