Hi, I bought an Oscar last week and I knew he had ich. I wanted him anyway. I treated him and now he's fine. However he's laying at the bottom of the tank. I still have him in a hospital tank because I don't know whats wrong. His breathing is shallow and he is eating but he isn't swimming. He seems like he is depressed. Is that possible? I know they are social fish, but I don't want to put my other fish at risk. Can someone please help me? I really, really don't want to lose this Oscar, he's beautiful and when he's healthy he's funny.

welcome to the site

firstly how long has your tank been setup? is it properly cycled?
how big is your tank and what kind of filtration is on it?
and finally doyou have a test kit to test your water and if so what are the readings?
sorry for so many questions but this information is needed in order to help your little guy.

Sorry if I didn't reply right, I'm new to this forum thing. the tank has been set up for 4 days. he had been treated for a week before I got him. it has an internal filter and oxygen rocks in it. we have been changing the water after making sure it was temped right but no we haven't used a test kit yet. should we do that?

Yes hun, you should test the water with a Liquid water test kit..

I strongly suggest you temporarily take your Oscar back to the pet store... You should read this article on cycling.. As an uncycled tank can seriously harm your Oscar!

Here is the article www.oscarfishlover.com/helpful-articles/cycling-an-aquarium

I hope this helps.. And we will be here to help!

ok, we have the test kits. I will test the water and see what happens. We have been changing the water by 50% everyday because of the ich (which we got rid of). I put another fish in there with him to keep him company and that fish is fine. So is this maybe something else? He is eating a little bit.

Thanks guys! I'm gonna take Your advice, I really appreciate it!

nicki right on trying to temporarily return your oscar to the pet store until your tank is cycled however if this is not an option to you then get back to us and we will help you through the cycling process.............

Ok, it turns out we have been cycling the tank. I just talked to my boyfriends mom who has been helping me out. She knows a bit more than me. I was wondering, is it possible that the cichlid I put in the for company has taken over? He is a bit bigger than my oscar and maybe a bit more aggressive. He eats out of my hand and when my oscar comes up for a treat he chases him away.

Ok, it turns out we have been cycling the tank. I just talked to my boyfriends mom who has been helping me out. She knows a bit more than me. I was wondering, is it possible that the cichlid I put in the for company has taken over? He is a bit bigger than my oscar and maybe a bit more aggressive. He eats out of my hand and when my oscar comes up for a treat he chases him away.

The cycling proces will take 5-6 weeks, so unless you have some filtermedia from an older tank in your filter, the tank is not cycled.
Aggression from other cichlids is not uncommon, but the biggest threat to your Oscars health is your waterquality.

Ya we have been using filtermedia from our other tank it has been set up for a while. And those fish are healthy. I'm so confused. And very worried. He seems to get better then worse. I'm also not entirely convinced he's sick. I know they can be lazy too. I'm not entirely sure what kind of Oscar he is even. I have a pic in my phone that I can try to post. Would that help?

Pic could help, allthough some test results for ammonia-nitrites, nitrates and pH may help us more.
But if you used old living filtermedia from an existing tank, the Oscar may just be sulking.
They can become shy and without movement for prolongued times if their territory changes, if they are stressed by netting or new tankmates...
Here's mine , laying sideways against a rock, not moving and acting depressed after a redecoration of the tank..


but temping him with a mealworm quickly changed his mood.lol