[B]Lethargic Oscar- Please help[/B]

[twb716]

Lethargic Oscar- Please help

I just bought a new Oscar last week and he has been in the tank for about 8 days. He is a little guy...only about 1", so he's pretty young. At any rate... he has been very active since I put him in the tank...always following me from one end to another, smacking his lips at the glass, splashing water as happy Oscars do. Today, however, I came downstairs and he was very lethargic, moping around the tank, brushing up against the filters and objects in the tank, but showing very little energy. I fed him, and he ate (and was still pretty excited about it), but went back to his "sad" state immediately afterwards. Later on I found him hiding in one of his plants. I did a paranoia water change of about 30%, and so far he is the same. Here are the water stats as of 10AM this morning:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
PH: ~7.4

My water out of the tap is pretty hard, but I have never had a problem with my Oscars before. What might be wrong with him?!?!? Any or all information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks much.

TB

 

[N8DOGG]

I don't think there is anything wrong with your water. Maybe he is still nervous about his new home. I had an oscar that was 4 yrs old and every once in a while he would just sit on the bottom. got bored I guess. As long as he is eating I wouldn't worry to much.Give him some more time to come around. I would make sure that you do wekly water changes to keep him happy. What size tank? what else is iin there?

 

[twb716]

N8DOGG,

Thanks for the advice. It's a 55g tank, but I will be transporting him to a 90 once it comes in. He is all by himself right now, but will be getting a girlfriend once the 90g arrives. I could have gone with a larger Oscar, but they are just so dang fun to watch grow. The female I get will be a little larger than he is, just so he doesn't try anything funny. He is getting a 30% water change weekly now, but that will be bumped up significantly once he has a little more mass. Thanks again, I will keep you posted.

TB

 

[VitaminJ]

As silly as it may sound, I think giving him a friend, like you mentioned, will help a lot. I have a JD whose mood and disposition improved greatly when a couple oscars were added to the tank. Whose to say fish can't get bored just like we do? But maybe I'm giving them too much credit...

-sj

 

[twb716]

I was thinking of picking him up a friend. Now, however, he is in really bad shape...been on the bottom of the tank on his side for a day now...I feel he is on his way out :sad . I don't want to introduce another fish to the tank until I am sure of what has made him this way. I did notice that his waste is very long (1"), and all white. Bring anything to mind? Would hate to loose this little guy. Thanks again.

TB