Need suggestions with a Tiger Oscar

[Irisheyes1772]

I have one tiger oscar that is now about 3-4 inches long in long 20 gallon tank. He is very shy and definately doesn't like bright lighting. I have the top of the tank covered with plants so reduce the lighting. I used to have a fake log in the tank but he never used it to hide in so I took it out. He was also acting very sick by laying on his side so I turned the temperature up in the tank to 82 and he swims around more. He was VERY active when he was little and started acting odd after I had him for about 2 months....so with no signs of disease I got another oscar to keep him company. it was an albino which did terrible and the fins started rotting off and ulcerations started appearing in her skin. Tried Meal Fix and Prima fin but that one never got better.... The first oscar though was always fine. He likes to knock over the small tank decorations, but does anyone know why he acts like this? I've read of people with very active and playful oscars - Do I just have one with a mopey personality? I was also thinking of making his tank more natural. I dont want to plant it as I've read oscars uproot plants so what should I do??

[tanker]

He's better by himself in a 20gal. That is a very small tank for an oscar.

He's knocking things around because he is curious. Imagine a 200lb kid with fragile toys. :D

[oscar119]

If you still have the albino, you should setup a small quarentine tank and remove him immediately. As long as phsically nothing looks wrong with the other oscar it's probably just his personality. Mine are't real active although when it comes to eating time they fight for every crumb. It's ok to use fake plants, just keep an eye on them. If one seems to be getting shredded than of course remove it.

Also be cautious that oscars get to be 12"+ so plan on a much bigger tank in your future..

[jib]

My oscar was the same way when he was smaller, then around 6" it almost seemed like a different fish. He became much more active, knocking down decorations, attacking the heater and filters, and trying to get at anyone who entered the room his tank was in. If it's eating and physically looks ok, I'd wait it out an see what happens.

[mooman]

Doing regular water changes? Two months without one is just long enough for water conditions to deteriorate to the point that a new arrival would find the water nasty, and get stressed out.

PS Get a bigger tank. I have seen too many people returning half grown oscars recently that look like poop becuase someone thought it would be cool to have a fish that could eat other fish, and then stuck them in a tiny tank and left them to develope Hole In The Head. Sorry, I'm in a prickly mood today.

[PumaWard]

Yes, please a bigger (75g + tank) :), oscars should attain a length of at least 11-12'', but more often they get in the 12-14'' range.

I would, like mooman, suspect poor water quality is the cause for his low enthusiasm. Check your water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. If ammonia or nitrite register, you need to do an immediate 50% water change. Nitrate should be kept below 20ppm for good health.

[Irisheyes1772]

We will be getting a bigger tank, but this is what we had at the moment. And he still is smaller and eating well. It a long tank as well so he has a lot of swimming room at the moment. Thanks for the suggestions though! :)

[nomadofthehills]

Grr I was at work today and this little kid told me he has an oscar in a 10g, like 7inches long. His dad wants to get a 30, but his mom siad no. SHe wasnt in the store, so it saved me from slapping her lol... I told him to return it to us, or get a 55+...

[PumaWard]

55g aren't big enough.