Hello everyone,

I've been browsing this site for a couple of months now. provides a lot of useful information. thanks.

I've just made an account on the forum to ask a question.

On Sunday I "rescued" a beautiful Pink Tiger Oscar from my LFS. He was in a tank with, amongst other fish, two large Asian Upside-down Cat's.

They'd beaten him up something chronic. I quickly grabbed the manager, and had a word. He'd already had to move a large Tiger Oscar out of that tank earlier in the day, that Oscar sadly did not win his battle as I'd seen him laying on the bottom of another tank, eyes glazed over. batttered beyond recognition.

I quickly struck a deal with the manager and grabbed this oscar and bought him home before he suffered the same fate.

He currently seems to be doing ok, he's around 4-5inches long. Currently in my 100l Quarantine tank on his own.

His fins were torn to shred's. he also has Scale damage along his sides not major but visible. also damage to his mouth, almost like a fat lip. is this due to being bitten or hitting his mouth on the glass while running away?

He's very scared at the moment, i have a lights off and last night put a towel over the front of the tank to stop him being scared by people moving around the tank.

When i take a quick peek at him he's swimming around and seems ok. if i turn the lights on it spooks him and he hides under the filter.

He's got some whitespot on him as of yesterday, which i assume was brought on by the stress of the relentless attacks. so currently the tank is @ 28 degree's C and treating with Whitespot med's.

I've been trying to feed him but he will hide. i've left a few pellets in there and frozen bloodworm and put the towel back down. when i come home for lunch from work i check and there gone. so i assume he is eating.

Would just like some advice on anything more i can do for him to help him out. and if you guys think he will make a recovery? whats the best way to go about getting his used to his surroundings and make him relax? am i doing the right thing?

Thanks guys.

Welcome to the site

By what you have said, you're pretty much doing what I would suggest anyway, it seems like you are on the ball. There is no need for any lighting at the moment, oscar will probably feel less stressed if you don't light the whole place up. You have a perfect size quarantine tank so it should be very easy to medicate. If the medication does not work, you could try increasing the temperature a couple of degrees more and leave it like that for around 10 days, this will actually speed up the lifecycle of the parasite and is often a successful and simple way of eradicating white spot.

Don't put too much food in if he doesn't eat it straight away, sometimes they will eat something once you are a room. However, don't worry too much, oscars can go for a surprisingly long time without food.

Good luck

Sounds like you know what your doing. the fin damage should just heal very quickly now the water conditions are better and its not getting beat up. A air stone may help but not essential. i would keep the lights out until you move it to the permanent tank. no point spooking it any more than needed. If you have just set up the quarantine tank do you have a filter on it and is it cycled? if not keep a close eye on water conditions.

welcome to the site,

Hi guys,

Thank you for the advice. I'm glad i seem to be doing the right thing for him.

The temperature of the tank is the highest it will go with that heater which is the 100W Fluval E Series. I've dealt with whitespot before so i knew to raise the temperature. I believe that a warmer tank also increases healing speed? correct me if i'm wrong.

It is my quarantine tank yes. but its filled straight from my main tank and i have two fluval U3 internals running in it. which are left running in the main tank when the quarantine tank is not in use to keep the bacteria alive in them.

I'm using the Venturi Top output on one of the Filters, so that provides plenty of aeration.

I just worry about him because i'm not used to seeing oscars like this. my two 3-4 inch Tigers go mental when they see me and realise its feeding time. I just wanted to make sure that he will be ok. I know there quite hardy and can take a beating. I guess i just hate to see him all spooked and scared. i wish there was more i can do.

I've affectionately named him Rocky. as he looks like he's gone 10 rounds with Apollo Creed currently! what with fat lip and all.

Great Job on the rescue!

It sounds to me like you have his best interest covered! Please keep us posted.. And when he is comfortable we would love to see him!

Thanks nicki,

I'm trying my very best to get him settled and back up to full health as quickly as possible. If he is a bit more settled tonight i'll try to get a picture of him currently. Then once he is all recovered it can be a before and after shot.

Such beatiful markings on him though. I must admit i'm a sucker for looking at those eyes of his. never seen such nice eyes an Oscar. bless him.

You are doing everything spot on. Keep us posted on how things go and any chance of some pics

Well done to you

Welcome!

Thank you all for the advice.

A small update, but its great to see.

Currently Rocky isn't as scared of me as he was before, this afternoon at lunch i opened the top of the tank and put a couple of pellets in for him. he's finally eating, not much but he's eating.

he came to the top of the tank when i opened the lid and everything.

His whitespot seems to be clearing up and all his fin rips have rounded off and are healing well.

I did try and get a couple of photo's but i think he's still a bit camera shy! i'll have another go tomorrow.

I am so glad he is getting better!!! I can't wait to see him!

nice to know your fish is recovering.... sooner, you can enjoy
watching it very healthy. congrats

Welcome and complements on your actions!
Keep it up and you'll have a healthy and happy Oscar in no time!
Good luck.