Why is my tiger oscar losing his color?

[Carefree_Dude]

When I first got my oscar, he had a ton of orange.

Now, in the past month in a half, he's grown considerably, but has lost much of his color. Is there any reason for this?

his diet has been new life spectrum Thera A+

 

[slayer5590]

pretty normal for a tiger oscar

 

[Worm4882]

Sorry to hear bud, but its an oscar, thats what 90% of them do when growing old, you lucky he still has straight lips. . .if you still so lucky?

Goodluck

 

[AQUAMONSTER]

Oscars are the old man cichlid. They look great for a while them they just get blah

 

[Carefree_Dude]

How can I get one that wont lose its color? I've seen some beautiful adult specimens. This thing is only 4" long, and its already lost sooo much color.

 

[Worm4882]

Like i said, 90% of them do this. . .how you ask. . .you'd have to purchase one that belongs to that other 10% and lots of LUCK

Like i said. . .GOODLUCK mate

 

[Aquanero]

Yes I see what you mean Osacrs are very colorless washed out fish. This is not my fish, but a beautiful specimen. 90% of oscars do not end up washed out and colorless. If fellow member comes on here asking for help, lets try and help him.

Can you tell us the tank size, tank mates, water perameters ie Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, Ph, hardness ect. What is the Temp how often do you do water changes and at what % per each change? Having said this genectics do have a role to play and even the best conditions wouln't make up for that. But before we jump the gun get some readings and answer the questions and we'll start there. NLS Thera +A is an excelent staple.

 

[Carefree_Dude]

Alright. About a week ago, i moved him to my big display tank (210 gallon), but before hand he was growing in a 55 gallon aquarium. Water specs of both aquariums.

Water changes: 50% twice a week (normally wednesdays and saterday night)
PH: 8.4
Water temp: between 80 and 84
AMmonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: <10ppm

On my display tank I have a 55 gallon aquarium I use as a sump, that has about 20lbs of seachem matrix and a deep sand bed. Uses a 200 micron filter sock. On the 55 gallon he grew up in (who am i kidding? He was in there for a little over a month) there is a canister filter that does 525 gallons per hour, and is packed full of bio media. Its a very low stocked tank as well.

 

[Sarah88]

most oscars from big chain stores will do this NOT TO WORRY THOUGH, he WILL get back his color. what happens is the big asia farms that they are bred at feed them a food with hormones in it that artificially induce adult coloration in the babies so that they are more appealing to customers, then the hormones wear off and they revert back to their normal juvie coloration. as he matures he will get his adult coloration again though it will probably be different than the color you originally saw he will def get a lot of nice color back once he gets bigger so dont lose hope

 

[Gruff Master]

The source of your Oscar could be another issue. If you received it from a store that carries a lot of the overly inbred lines, that could be another reason for its loss in color. I have never owned an Oscar but I have seen some incredibly colored adult specimens. They are usually wild caught or from good breeding lines. Look into ordering from a vendor with quality stock and that may help you acquire an Oscar with the great color you're looking for. I agree with Aquanero. I don't believe that 90% of Oscars end up washed out. Even some from chain stores can grow to have nice coloration. Stress, genetics, diet, tankmates are all factors that effect the behavior and appearance of fish.