Of christmas I got a tank set up. it's pretty nice. around 50 gallons. I knew I was going to get oscars, cycled it all out and such. And I got my fish a week later. Only two oscars. I floated them in there baggy on the water how I was told to. And when I opened them to their new home, they pouted for a while, like I have read they do. And the next day they were fine, swimming around. They were pretty shy, and they are still on the shy side. But I'm sure with time they will get used to me. My one oscar is doing great, he swims around and feeds pretty normal, and is getting less and less shy.

But my other one who I named Nigel, is looking rather depressed. And I'm not sure why. today he didn't even get really excited about food like his buddy. He just sorta layed on the bottom sulking sorta. ANd right now he's just floating on the top tilted slightly by the pump area. He's not dead, I am sure of that, because I also have a gold fish in with them, and the gold fish is slightly bigger (only like by a half inch or so though), and he sorta picks on Nigel a little bit, and when Scrotum (the gold fish, i know odd name) gets near Nigel, he just swims away really quickly an hides, haha. And he moves spots where he just wants to hang out and mope. I don't get it. what is wrong?

Sorry for my horrible typing, it's really cold at the moment in my room, and my fingers are a little stiff, ha.

welcome to this site Lucas.

first thing first.... 1 week is not enough to cycle the tank
before putting oscar in it? that is one factor why one of your
o is acting as such. cyling the water tank can take as much
as 3 to 4 weeks before all water parameters needed by an oscar
is attained.

2nd.... your oscar is still affected by new environment syndrome.
it will take sometime before they become used to it.

do your water change regularly to attain ideal water parameter
so that your fishes will be happy. you will be happy too

A 50 gallon tank is going to be to small for 2 Oscars in time.
they grow so quick.
and why have you got a goldfish in with oscars, whats your temp in your tank?
and you do know that goldfish will become dinner once the oscars get bigger.

like paul pointed out one week is not long enough to fully cycle a tank. could you post your water readings for ammonia nitrites and nitrate. with this info we can better help you in determining what might be wrong in your aquarium.

First Paul:
Thanks. . I did find this out about the cycling after I got my fish. I didn't see the page about cycling on this website, and now I am aware of what fully cycling is. So there's that. I guess it's a noobs mistake. ha.

I actually found this out, I went to the pet store today and was looking around like I do regularly, and brought up my concern, and he told me the same thing pretty much. And when I got home I was happy to see him up and about swimming in the tank. But when he saw me he hid. He is a shy guy.

Just curious, how often would you do water changes? just for future refference is all.

To Glen2009:
I am aware of this. My sister is actually sending me a 100 Gallon tank that she no longer uses, she had a salt water aquarium, and hated it so got rid of it, and now has this tank and stuff sitting around, so I'm going to use that when it gets here. And the reason I have got my gold fish in with my oscar is because he was in a fishbowl with no filtration before, and he was only a Fair Fish that I won in a coin toss game, haha. I am aware when my oscars get bigger he will probably get eaten. But I'm not going to think about that right now.

To necromancer4:
Ummm, I don't have any readings, because I do not have anything to read it currently. This is another I found out I should probably get after I already had bought them. I should have done more research before I jumped right in, and I will know that now, next time before I get really excited.

Currently, my fish are doing great now. Their names are Nigel (the white one) and Octavian (the black one). They are getting along nicely, and eating really good, and are swimming around. They are most active though when I turn the tank lamp off, I think because they think I'm not around or something, haha.

Thanks for the advice, and telling me what I'm doing wrong. I'll get this all in order now.

it is my pleasure to help. that is how people
in this site react and share their ideas... affront
and straight to the point. about changing water, others
do it every other day 25% even without problem yet. the
concept there is that prevention is the best condition
you can enjoy in fish keeping. (prevention is better than
cure)

the hiding things, let it be starve for two days
(if you can handle it), then feed them in your hand,
the next time you approach the tank, they will greet
you "feed me, feed me" as they open their mouth.

yeah well thanks for the help. I appreciate it, and I soon hope to be on my way with a super awesome set up.

Alright. I've been changing mine every couple days. I wasn't really to sure, and I didn't want to do it to much. So that's good to know.

Oooo, Starve for a couple days? lol, that's rough, I'm sure they'd live, they would love me when they saw me for sure. I'll consider if if they don't get out of this funk real soon.

that is the reason why i put it in parenthesis.
i myself almost did not make it but it worth trying.
now my oscar always approached the front glass
whenever i am around. but mind you, they never
act the same way with my wife and children.

your next purchase should be a water testing kit. it is vital to be able to test for ammonia nitrites and nitrates. i use the american pharmaceutical master test kit and find it easy to use and to read. they retail at places like petsmart for about $30.

as for starving your juvie oscar- im not a huge fan of this approach mainly because the fish is still small and developing. i would wait it out for about another week and if he still hides all time then maybe consider starvation as a final approach.

best of luck to you with your new oscar

30$ isn't to bad. I'll check my local pet store to see how much they run as well. And I was going to wait for week or so, and use starvation as a last resort, because I know how much it sucks to be hungry, haha.

Also, what is a good way to change water? right now all I do is take the top off my tank, and get like gallon sized buckets to get rid of the old water, and then bring in the new when I have taken out a little less than half the water. is there a better way to do it?

use a hose, suck and let it flow down in a draining gutter

That sounds easier ha. I don't have a gutter, but my tank set up is right next to my window. haha. I'll give that a try tomorrow. It's better than having to use all my energy and carry water b ack and forth. haha