Just got my first oscar, have a number of aquariums and fish but never an oscar before. It was healthy and lively in the shop, brought it home and put in in an established tank, good water, good ph, good temp but he has changed colour and become very slow and swimming slightly on the side, seems very stressed. I had the light off for a while and when it was on I covered the glass with a towel so he wouldnt freak out. He has hiding spots. Im really starting to freak out, can anyone give me any help? (its been about 56 hours)

Welcome to the community

How big is the Oscar?

How big is the aquarium?

What type of filtration have you got?

Have you tested the water today?

What's is the temperature of the water?

If the fish still eating?

Is the fish breathing heavily?

I know this seems like the third degree but it will certainly help us help you.

about 8cm,
910mmx350mmx450mm (140ish lt but starting tank, have many nore),
had an external but broke yesterday and flooded loungroom so have an internal until the new part arrives at aquarium, hopefully in 3 days, it also moves water on the surface and i have an airstone,
water is at 7-7.5ph (last test about half hour ago when i got home),
was at 23, now 26 at one end and 24 at the other (2 thermos),
it sort of ate some bloodworms but hasnt gone near pellets or feeders although they eventually ate pellets,
not overly, well its mouth isnt open alot but it is a bit noticeable,
no please third degree me, last thing i want is for it to go wrong. thanks for the reply.

140Ltish*

Im prob just stressing but i have two turtles, two small cats, two peppermint whiskered cats, a few silver sharks (kois) a bunch of neons and guppys (seperate breeding feeder tank)4 active aquariums, a dog, and a gf, and i just cant figure out what ive done wrong.

also its a wild caught oscar from very good aquarium, he was there for abot a month and i shop there alot.

have you tested for:
ammonia
nitrites
nitrates
what was the results?

yeah its well under limit, its an established tank (about a month) that i kept some feeders in before i bought the oscar. It seems to be perking up a bit but its been nearly 72 hours and still a bit up and down so im just stressing a bit. although the external filter broke (being repaired) i have an internal and an undergravel to encourage bacteria. Last partial water change was about 5 days ago. It might be nothing but i really want to make sure, i have never had anything take this long to establish.

I just thought there might be something unique for oscars so i wanted to check but it seems like i have it all ok and maybe it just didnt travel well so i just have to wait and see. Hopefully it works out ok because i have another one to pick up next week and a few silver dollars.

btw thanks for replies, really appreciate it. great site.

hi mate...if your tank is only 140 litres please dont buy another Oscar or any other fish for that matter. one Oscar should have around 55 gallons or 250 litres. your tank is to small for even one Oscar never mind a second.

Have you actually got a filter running at the moment?

I'm not keen on purchasing wild caught fish unless absolutely necessary. Some fish do come from the wilds because they can't be bred in captivity. However, fish from the wild will probably be more susceptible to disease than fish that have been bred in captivity. Also, it is totally unnecessary to remove Oscars from the wild when there are plenty of captive bred Oscars available. I'm not having a go at you personally, I'm just pointing out that buying fish that have been taken from the wild is not a good idea and every effort should be made to purchase fish that have been bred responsibly in captivity