Alright, what I'm going to say is gonna make you want to reach through the internet to slap me for being an idiot, buuut, I'm going to fix its situation soon as possible.

I've been wanting a fish now for a while, and I've felt as though I could easily take care of them, seeing as how goldfish and tiger fish were under my care for a long time, and they all lived long happy lives. So I bought a small tank that came with a filter and a neon light to make the water glow that could be set up on my computer desk where they could be watched easily. Then came the decision of what fish to buy, and here is the harsh part.. I was one of those fools who fell for the "oooh, look at this fish, pretty colors and only about an inch, it's PERFECT for my 1.5 gallon tank"

I take the fish home and set the tank up and plop it in after letting it get used to the water, in the meantime I look online about this fish, and quickly came to realize that a stupid decision was made. First off, an Oscar in a 1.5 gallon tank is terrible, secondly I have no heater for it or a good spot.

Come tomorrow though, I'm going to buy it a 55 gallon tank, a good filter and some good places to hide, as well as the proper chemicals for a tank that size.

Right now the, the Oscar seems to be all depressed sitting on the bottom of the tank, staring at me with one large sad eye constantly. The only way I got it to float around the tank is by turning the light off, at which point it promptly came to life.

It's just gotta survive cold water and a tiny tank for just one more day or two at max. Do you guys think it will be alright? I'm not going to let a living creature die because of an impulse buy.

welcome to the site.
you are not the first who had done that. here is short notice to
cope with the situation. look around in your area if you can pull
any live grass or plants. wash the roots thoroughly and put it inside
you gallon tank. it will help absorb all nitrite for good and will
sooth the fish environment until bigger tank comes along. i assume
you don't have filter too. the live plants will help. feed your o
sparingly in the mean time.

The tank came with a small filter and two spare cartridges, it's perfect for a one gallon tank. Hopefully that prevents the Oscar from dying a tragic death within the next day or two until I get the bigger setup.

How dangerous is a slightly high level of nitrate or ammonia for a day or so? (not exactly sure what it is at the moment, thats part of my adventure tomorrow)

Welcome to OFL!
So much info we'd like to share with you!
First, your O can stand some colder water for a little time.Roomtemp that is.
Chanding some water everyday will help for the moment.
You came to the right place, feel free to ask any questions!

You NEED to keep the tank/water at min 22c, you NEED to cycle a tank before you can add fish to it , you NEED to take that fish back to the store or get someone to look after it for you or even give it to a established tank owner

I'M SORRY FOR SOUNDING HARSH BUT YOUR FISH IS IN DANGER OF HAVING A SHORT PAINFULL/STRESSFULL LIFE AS YOU HAVE NOT RESEARCHED THE BASICS OF TROPICAL FISHKEEPING

IF you are unwilling to take fish back etc get a hot water bottle and keep it near the tank to radiate warmth also perform 20-30% water changes daily as with no working filter the fish will be swimming in a "toxic toilet" also add a little warm/tepid water to these changes to maintain temp

where are you we may have a boardmember local to you who can help out i have tanks filters and aquarium water all you will need you can borrow if you are close to me

REPLY ASAP

True, you're next problem is getting a new tank, but it will not be ready when you get home.
The cycling of the tank will take 40 days and till that time a new fish will be at risk because of the toxic waste produced by the fish itself.
please let us know your plans!

I'm going to get the 55 gallon tank tomorrow and get two large filters, some gravel amongst other things that I'll research. Right now the Oscar is swimming all around the tank, but it does like going to the bottom to just sit for a nice chunk of time.

The tank will have to cycle with the Oscar, as I'm not bringing it back to Wal-Mart, I'll take care of it the best I possibly can while that process is happening. Luckly, the fish has great color, it's eyes are sharp and it has smooth scales, only a slight rip in one fin though.

If it can survive the night in the gallon tank, I think it'll be fine. Not letting it die. Please, if anyone has any advice to what I should get tomorrow, I have currently around 100 to toss down into gear aside from the tank, as the tank is mostly a donation.

I swear this little Oscar hates lights.. when the tank one goes off it is just all over the place.

(also, the room it is in currently is a room with two computers, the ambient temp is around 80-85f normally. The water is not cold at all)

I say get some primer/stresscoat and some beneficial bacteria to jumpstart your filters.
It's not advisable to get your tank cycled like this, but it's an emergency, right!
And it's gonna be waterchanges everyday for the next weeks to keep your ammonia levels safe.
Have you seen a tank you like allready?
Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask any questions!
Goodluck!

Do you have a liquid test kit to test waterparameters yet/
If not, buy that as well.You're gonna need it.

sadly this is all true.

if you get that tank... i would put him in it simply because a 1.5gallon tank is too small for a goldfish let alone an oscar... and do water changes daily... until you get your cycle finished.

Do you know any other fishkeepers??? if so ask them for a % of their tank water (test it first though oh and dont use "strip" test kits they are very dubious use some of your cash to buy something like this see herehere for U.S retailer




(from the wal-mart) comment i take it your a U.S citizen

i am sure what you have is a small powerhead pump. it help to aerate
you small tank. you oscar will survive.... just give daily water change
50% but do not clean your filter to keep any bacteria in it.

once you have the bigger tank, read about proper cycling the tank.
you will be guided properly here. just ask and members will help.