Recently I bought a Tiger Oscar for my 55g tank. When i got him his colors were very vibrant. but now his color is starting to fade (the orange is fading) to a dull almost grey color. also when I feed him he doesn't readily eat usually he goes and hides. I haven't ever seen him eat. but i do notice that a pellet or two is missing. so why won't he eat, and why is his color fading i have had the fish for 4 days now
My first Cichlid
- Thread starter cap1384
- Start date
Lupin
Registered Member
- Sep 21, 2006
- 21,430
- 13
- 0
- Real Name
- Paul
possibly just getting used to his new home - when he's full grown by the way, if he is a juvenile, he may find the 55 a bit cramped and prefer a 75.
meantime, sorry you're having trouble with him.
can you tell us what other inhabitants if any are in the tank and what filtration ?
also, how long is the tank set up and if recently how was it cycled ?
can you also test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate using a good liquid drop test, and tell us what water conditioner you use.
sorry for all the q's - the answers will help.
meantime, sorry you're having trouble with him.
can you tell us what other inhabitants if any are in the tank and what filtration ?
also, how long is the tank set up and if recently how was it cycled ?
can you also test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate using a good liquid drop test, and tell us what water conditioner you use.
sorry for all the q's - the answers will help.
ok its a 55g tank with a whisper 60 filter the ammonia was 0.25 the nitrite was 0 nitrate was 0 the ph is 6.8 the tank was set up on the 18th i added two fish and a plant on the 25th the other inhabitants are a common pleca and and anuibas pland also there is a 7" peice of driftwood i used no water conditioner i used water from a local water and ice place the water goes through an RO and some 70 other steps of filtration
i was told the tank would cyce when i added the fish??? should i ahve done it another way??????????
that was a half truth.
yes it will cycle, but with fish in you need to manage it very carefully. read this http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598
you need to have a good liquid drop test kits and change water whenever ammonia or nitrite hits .25 ppm or more. with an Oscar this could be twice daily changes of whatever it takes.
a cycled tank maintain ammonia and nitrite a 0, and nitrates slowly increase. then, you change to keep nitrates down below 40 (I would shoot for 20 ppm or less). with a fish-in cycle this can take 4 - 6 weeks to achieve.
for now, if you want to keep the fish, do water changes according to the test results. could require 25 - 30% changes or more daily.
if you can get some Seachem Prime water conditioner this will help - it detoxifies ammonia and at very high doses nitrite but is not a substitute for water changes. either way you need a good test kit and likely a good water conditioner which removes chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals. water changes and a good test kit are your tools here.
the other option is to take the fish back - keep him only if you are willing to commit to the cycle management.
btw welcome to AC
yes it will cycle, but with fish in you need to manage it very carefully. read this http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598
you need to have a good liquid drop test kits and change water whenever ammonia or nitrite hits .25 ppm or more. with an Oscar this could be twice daily changes of whatever it takes.
a cycled tank maintain ammonia and nitrite a 0, and nitrates slowly increase. then, you change to keep nitrates down below 40 (I would shoot for 20 ppm or less). with a fish-in cycle this can take 4 - 6 weeks to achieve.
for now, if you want to keep the fish, do water changes according to the test results. could require 25 - 30% changes or more daily.
if you can get some Seachem Prime water conditioner this will help - it detoxifies ammonia and at very high doses nitrite but is not a substitute for water changes. either way you need a good test kit and likely a good water conditioner which removes chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals. water changes and a good test kit are your tools here.
the other option is to take the fish back - keep him only if you are willing to commit to the cycle management.
btw welcome to AC
Oscars were my first FW fish a long time ago. I agree with Coler. The oscar should do fine during your cycle, but don't add anymore fish till cycle is done. Also they are a messy fish that needs alot of space. He/she will out grow your 55gal. I have always liked oscars but after mine died I didn't want to get anymore cause they really do need a big tank. You'll be surprised at how fast they grow. Glad to hear the oscar is eating. Good luck with yours and remember to watch your params and do water changes when need to keep them down during the cycle. Also you should raise your ph a lil oscar need to have a ph level of 7.2 and water temp bout 78 degrees. Here's a cool lil sitto check out.
http://www.oscarfishlover.com/
http://www.oscarfishlover.com/