I have a 26 gallon bow front tank with 2 baby Oscars, Red and Piglet. Yes I know they will need a bigger tank later so please don't reply and tell me that. Temp and water are good.

First, I had a Pleco for 5 days... died for some reason... no signs of stress. the only thing he started to do was swim to the top of the tank and let out a few air bubbles. He did that for a day and then was a floater. No visible signs of anything and I never really saw the Oscars mess with them.

Second, the Oscars hide when we come in the room but I have read that they will stop that at some point. I am going to get a blue light or dinner one today.

Third and main reason for post, they have started swimming all over the tank. Up and down the walls repeatedly. I think I may be a little gun shy since I just lost my Pleco. I want to make sure tey are ok... they look fine but so did the Pleco.

I have had Oscars before but they were huge and very slow to move around until the feeder fish dropped in! Not use to all this activity. Just want to make sure they are ok.

welcome to the site

Okay, we won't harp on about the tank but you know your situation & what you need to do in the very near future?

If your fish were constantly swimming to the surface that could be because the water conditions were not so good, maybe there was some oxygen depletion in the water, fish will come to the surface to take on oxygen when this happens.

You're going to have to provide us with a water sample before we can really help you. We need to know you results for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH.

I don't think it's uncommon for fish to swim all over the tank, especially when they are very small, they are investigating that environment. If they are always hanging at the surface however, then there may be a problem then.

It also isn't uncommon for fish to hide, this is a natural reaction, although they should get used to you and show no fear when you are around

They do not appear to be coming up for air .. I think they may just be exploring the tank. I actually took the water to the pet store and all the levels are perfect. They really do not seem to be distressed at all. Perhaps since this is my first experience with baby Oscars I'm not use to their activity level. They are a little pissed at me for rearranging their tank yesterday.. HAD a hanging thermoter in the tank, they knocked it down 3 times.. now I have taken that one out!

As for the tank. At this point these little guys are 2" long. Sometimes you can barely find them in the tank. I have started shopping for my big tank but I am pretty sure I have a month or two before I'll need it. I would totally lose them in a 100 gal tank right now!

If I was you I would consider getting your own test kits, then you can test the water at your pleasure. when I said the fish coming up for air, I was referring to the fish that died. Just give them a little bit of time and see what happens, I'm sure everything will be okay

like the boss has already mentioned, get your own test kits, I wouldn't trust everything my lsf tells me.

you need plenty of patience with oscars at the beginning until they get used to the owner & tank.

LOL... I found my first post!!! Back when I was Brooksie2009!

LMAO! Hello Brooksie!

You have come MILES babe!!! LOL. Stick around a while Huh?

LOL... I think I might... couldn't have done it without you guys. Special thanks to you for all the PM help too !!

lol . . funny stuff brooks.

Welcome to OFL, its nice here, stick around

oh man i started this think with the first posts and i was fooled by this one!!!!! i was reading it thinking to myself WTF happened to the 120 gallon brooksie ??? then i looked at post dates...got me!
Welcome Aboard Brooksie 2009!

I think the original posts are hilarious! Shows how much we've grown huh?