My 3"+ oscar gave up on the Hikari Bio-Gold mini pellets that I used to feed him. I rotated his dietary with freeze dried shrimp, pellets, mini mealworms. Hence, I starve him now. While on the internet most suggest to starve the oscar to get him back on track, they do not really record down how do they do that. This was what I did and please correct me if I'm wrong:

1. First day, I fast him throughout the day.
2. Day 2, I gave him a few mini pellets in the evening. He took 3-4 pellets 100%, for the rest he consumed 20% and spit out the rest. Those spit out pellets were taken by the SDs.
3. Day 3, I fed him in the morning, also, he took 3 pellets 100% then spit out almost the rest. In the evening, I fed again, this time he looked very hungry. He took about 80% for first 10 pellets, subsequently spit out like before. This time i soaked the pellets in garlic juice and pour the garlic juice into the aquarium, never know this could help well I just tried.
4. Day 4, taken two pellets and gave up on the rest.

Question:
My oscar seem like going circle trying his best to let go pellets if he can fight the hunger. What should I do? Give him a 5 days fasting with no pellets or foods will do?

I would say carry on. if its eating some even 1 or 2 I wouldn't worry. its still a very small fish and 2 pellets may just be enough for it. have you tried live mealworm,earthworm,frozen bloodworm. I tend to think the frozen blood is better and its not often a fish will turn down a block.

Mine refused the ciclid stick i fed him and only wanted to eat bloodworms.
Nowadays he only eats any live foods I feed him.
He eats mealworms like crazy but never got back to eating pellets.
It sounds like your O is just full quickly.
I'd say keep up with the pellets in the morning and try some frozen bloodworms in the evening.
I feed every other day instead of every day, but my O is over 10" allready.

I wished I could but unfortunately I fed him mealworms last night. I've lost the battle but I think seeing a happy oscar could worth more than any blames Nod Am I following your footprints?

that is normal.... anyway..you are wanting him to take several kinds of foods.
but even baby will be feed of the foods they prefer to eat isn't it?
then this is another kind of baby and everybody do the same

oscarpig wrote:


I think you must be!
I resolve to feeding the pellets to the mealworms, and then feed those to my Oscar.
And he's growing!
Let's hope your becomes just as sweet as mine!

I would not feed for a couple of days and then try him on pellets. If he dont eat them, feed him something he will eat and then not feed for a week. Then try pellets. If he dont eat the pellets feed him something he will eat the next day. Then dont feed for a week again. He should eat pellets after this but if he dont continue for another 2 weeks. If he still wont eat pellets then think about giving up on them

Well, he was a real bugger/beggar last night. He took pellets, freeze dried shrimp, mealworms, and etc.. I gave up on starving him since he came back to wipe everything off the surface. I can't wait to go home and see him wagging tail again!