Hi there,

I got a 100 gallon tank about 3 months ago from a neighbor that had abandoned it with two very large Plecosomus and a funny armored catfish. I added 2 salad plate sized Oscars - 1 Tiger & 1 Blonde and 2 saucer sized Oscars 1 Blonde and 1 Red. Everybody gets along very well and the HITH the Oscars came with from PetSmart has almost completely disappeared.(As soon as I can figure out the sexes,I'll divey out names

I came home and the large Blonde was on the floor with no signs of life- no gills moving, no flopping, nada, nothing - 0 signs of life. It had actually knocked the cover sideways and jumped out - I have no idea how long it had been laying there. (Lucky that my desert acclimated felines prefer birds) It was looking dead, dry and I figured sadly that it was off to the garbage can with it. When I went to pick it up, the tail moved. So I scooped it up and put it back in the tank. To my utter amazement within 15 minutes it was swimming around. Not a lot mind you and the gills were going but - swimming around. I did a 30% water change at the same time because the tank was looking not so great, plus I figured the fresh water would be more oxygenated and have less of everything else. When adding warm filtered, treated water in 5 Gallon buckets, I poured it directly on that fish which was sort of one side up. Which it seemed to be happy about and responded with increased activity and gill movement. That was over 48 hours ago. The fish is still breathing and moving around a bit, but it's swimming upside down or laying on it's side directly under where the filter spills water back into the tank. It ate a few bloodworms yesterday afternoon. It seems all floaty, though and I don't know what to do.

Any and all suggestions would be welcome

Any thoughts on what this novice Oscar person should do??

Thanks! Renee

Hi Renee and Welcome... I have to say that you will just have to give him time, and see how he does... Once they jump out of the tank it takes a while for things to straighten themselves out. But the fact that he is eating is a REALLY good sign.

Now I must also tell you that the amount of fish you have in that tank is WAY too many. We suggest 55 gallons per Oscar. plus additional gallons for tank mates.

Have you tested your water for Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates?
If so what are the results? And if not this is something you should do.. As Oscars require very very clean, and heavily filtered water.

Often we find that when they jump it is because of tank conditions.

I hope this helps and if you could answer these questions we can help you more.

wow what an ordeal like nikki said its eating and whelming around it might have damaged its swim bladder in the process of bungee jumping if this is so it most likley will not get better the o will live with it and swim funky i wouldnt worry about it unless it stopps eating or starts breathing really weard

First, Get rid of some fish.
you're tank is crowded they have no where to move.
Test you're water as said above, check that everything is right, Keep feeding him and give him some time.

Welcome to OFL.
Nickisue's got you covered.

Nickisue wrote:


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