Hi guys. As some of you may already now my oscar of 5 months passed away earlier this week because he would never eat. Well i picked up a new red oscar thursday and am starting to have the same issue. He seems to be very scared of me whenever i walk in. He is always swimming around when i first walk in but then he just dashes to hide behind the filter. Whenever i put food in he doesnt even seem to bat an eye at it. Im starting to get worried that i am not the fishkeeper that i need to be.
I think i am doing everything right. I do a 50% water change weekly. I keep the water parameters in check. Is it possible that i am doing something wrong? Or did i choose another week oscar? Or am i jumping to conclusions too early?
I just dont want another oscar to die on me. I want him to grow up big and strong but am afraid that he wont.
My girlfriend got an oscar about 6 weeks ago and was under an inch when we purchased it. It is now well over three inches and has a very healthy appetite. We have nearly identical setups but it seems that we have very differant fish.
Any tips or suggestions would be great.
Thanks

Its early days yet. so don't worry at the moment. Did you buy this oscar from the same dealer?? It may not be anything to be concerned about but some dealers don't keep there fish in the very best conditions. If I buy a fish I always ask if the fish has been treated with any medication recently, I do this now cos I purchased a fish without knowing that it had been receiving meds right up to the day I bought it. it looked fine but acted strange once home for a few day. I went back and asked the dealer and he confirmed his whole stock of oscars had been treated. All that said, I still think you are worrying to soon.

can you post the actual water test results please. Also do you have hiding places, a scared fish can become stressed if in a new tank with no place to hide. the fact hes out swimming about when you are out of sight is a good sign. you could turn the light out for a few days too. i would also read up on how to do water changes just to make sure you are not stressing the fish out. 50% a wk is a fair amount, I would try to change a smaller amount more often.also if your water treatment contains a stress coat I would use a stronger solution if appropriate. What is your current setup?? tank size,filter,fish. lastly when hes out swimming about dose he swim ok, turning, moving about.

marcus wrote:


I got this oscar from a differant dealer.
Water results:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: out of tests but was 20 2 weeks ago.

I took the rock out to take away his hiding spot. Was this the wrong move?
My current setup,
30 gal(yes small but will move to 75 gal in about 5 weeks).
Penguin dual biowheel hob rating up to 75 gal.
Fish only 1.5 in oscar, nothing else.
when i do see him swimming, he is moving like he should doesnt really seem to have any physical issues.

Get him some place to hide, so he can if he wants.

Noddy wrote:

and give him time to adjust. sooner, it will greet you whenever
you come near to the tank

When i got my very 1st aquarium i put 4 fish into it, It was 60g and for about a month i only saw 1 of them again. i saw tails under rocks i saw them dash into cover, so knew they where still there. give them some time.

marcus wrote:


Did you see them eat or anything? I have done 2 sizable water changes in the past three days to get the water in top condition. I am thinking about doing changes about every other day, would this be wise to do for a little while? He doesnt seem to be stressed during them. He actually likes to explore the uncovered glass on the bottom. Then when i am done back to the hiding spot.

like the other members have mentioned you are worrying for no reason. I never saw my red oscar for nearly 3 weeks after I bought it. he would just come out during feeding time & quickly dash back in. try adding the food to the tank & walk away from the room for a while, if he hasn't eaten remove the food.

also did you ask the store what they were feeding the oscar?? that might help aswell.

Yeah i know i am worrying too much. Just want my pet to be happy. I will stop worryin.

i know what you mean but sometimes we just need to be a little patient.

btw i forgot to add in my previous post, make sure you provide the little guy with a proper hiding spot.

Yeah i have. Put the rock back in. He is chilling under it right now.

give him a week and he should be acting like a normal lively Oscar