behaviour change in JD

Oscar_Mania

Oscar_Mania

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Oct 8, 2003
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My JD has started hiding whenever he sees me. He comes out to eat but when I get close to the tank he hides. I tested the water today and it's fine. He's just recently started doing this. His tankmate is an Oscar. It's like he's scared of me all of a sudden. I can get him to take food out of my hand with hesitation but then he goes and hides afterwards and only comes out when I'm almost out of the room. Is this just some kind of phase?
 
What are your maintenance practices, filtration, filter maintenance, water parameters (GH, KH, pH, nitrAtes), etc? In many species, skittishness can come from bacterial infections, but a specific diagnosis in your case without further information would be impossible.
 
No visible external signs of a problem on the fish.
Ph: neutral
Nitrites: between 0 and 0.25
Ammonia: 0
KH and GH: don't really test that
Nitrates: ~40
Filtration: Aquaclear 300
filter media changed monthly (not all at once though)
Water changes: Usually every three weeks or whenever required
Temperature: 76C
 
Wow. Fast reply. Here's the deal.

Your parameters appear to be in good shape, however:

A major long-term problem for some fish is the buildup of organic pollutants and bacteria in the water. This can only be dealt with by frequent, major water changes. If that is your problem now, it can be corrected with, say, 40% water changes more than once per week for a couple of weeks.

What other fish are in this tank and what size is it, by the way?

One final note: you mean 76F, right? Otherwise, we're talking about bouillabase.
 
Oh, and the tank is a 33g. I was going to get a larger tank but was told I wasn't allowed to until I moved out:( I know, it's disgusting to keep an Oscar in that size of a tank. I plan on moving out soon anyway.
 
Your thank is a way too small, but it's clear that you know that. I would do 50% water changes every 4 or 5 days, and rather than throwing out the sponges in your AC 300 just rinse them out really well every week in tank water. By doing this you rinse out all the shibby, but save most of the good bacteria in the sponge.
 
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