i have a 12 yr old oscar who has always been very healthy. Recently he has stopped swimming around his tank. For the past few months he mostly lays at the bottom of the tank and only moves when eating. now for the last few days he isnt eating much. He will attempt to swim to top of tank, then just fall back to the bottom. I am very concerned. Is this just "old age" as the local pet store suggested? i want to do all i can for him! Nothing has changed in his enviroment and he is alone in a 50 gallon tank. Any advice on caring for our elderly? Thanks so much--brandi

Welcome to the site

firstly, congratulations for keeping an Oscar Fish healthy for such a long time. Difficult to say really, I would be inclined to say it is due to old age since you're obviously doing something right to keep it alive for this long. If nothing has changed on your routine is exactly the same as it always has been, I really can't suggest anything that may have triggered this, apart from what has already suggested, old age.

We always ask for water parameters but I can't see that being a problem unless something has gone wrong in the last few days, so just check.

OFL wrote:

nothing much to say because keeping an oscar that long is already an accomplishment.
yes, try to figure out what was the last changes in the environment: say renovation,
fumigation, or anything that could trigger the sudden changes in mode.

btw, how big is he/she now? just curious about it. Thanks.

I think oscars live around 15yrs give or take a few so you could be right. old age. usually fast growing fish don't last as long as slow growing and as oscars are fully grown around 1 yr you have done well.

i wonder if he had a tank mate might perk him up a bit??

You have done well to keep him 12 years and it may be old age.

Just to check can you test your water please.

It sounds like he has a swim bladder problem if he is having trouble swimming to the top of the tank.

Wow 12 yrs is truly amazing, that’s like getting the Oscar when your kids start their first day @ school until they sit their exams and finish their secondary education.. maybe the Oscar is getting old..she/he musta lived quite a life..

Donni xD wrote:

We had a member last week with an Oscar that was 21 years old!
That would be like getting the Oscar when yur kids start their first day @school, until they drop by to drop their kids at your place for babysitting!