Hi, I have a 3 month old Oscar that in the last 2 weeks has become very dormant and shy. He just sits at the bottom of the tank ALL day under the heater. It looks as if he has made a nest or bed. The only time he comes up is to eat, and goes right back to the spot! When I first got him he was very active and was even starting to eat from my hand. any help would be great. thanks.

What are your water peramiters?

What else is in his tank?

I check the water parameters yesterday and all numbers are perfect. I also have an apple mystery snail in the tank.

What does perfect mean??

If you can I need exact numbers for Ammonia, nitrite, and Nitrate

Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrate 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, pH 7.4

I hate to break it to you hun, but that is NOT perfect. How long has your tank been set up?

if your tank is properly cycled you should be showing some nitrate

i'm sorry, i just checked them again and nitrate is reading 5.0 and it looks like pH is reading between 7.2 & 7.5!

How long has your tank been set up?

7.2-7.5 should be fine; they key is steady ph with no sudden or drastic changes

what about water temp? you mention your O hangs out by the heater - perhaps the water is cold?

i've had it set up for about 2 weeks now.

Meatball wrote:

normal new tank syndrome commonly known as uncycled tank.
2 weeks is not good enough to establish good bacteria but
you are good.... to have nitrate 5ppm with that period.
do what Nickie had suggested and you will be fine.