Very Strange Oscar Behavior

J

jim123

AC Members
May 2, 2009
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I have 1 Oscar in a 55 gallon tank. I have had him for about 5 months. He is about the size of a computer mouse. I do a 20 to 25% water change every week. I do not feed him live food.

Just recently, we noticed that out of nowhere, he goes violently crazy. He slams himself across the tank back and forth for 10 to 20 seconds. He gets all scratched up and bloody. Like a pinball in a pinball machine. I know that it has happened 3 times in the past 2 weeks. When it is happening I turn on the light.

He has no tank mates. It is just him, gravel, and a bridge that he like to hide behind.

Any ideas? Is he getting spoofed?
 
Boredom could be a problem. Does he have anything to play with like a golf ball or such? Is he seeing his reflection? Any decor he can move around and redecorate?

I would suggest a tankmate close to the same size and temperament.
 
It happens, "when" you turn on the lights...?
 
The 3 times that it has happened, the tank light was off. I turn on the tank light when it is happening and he seems to stop shortly thereafter.
 
My Oscars spook themselves, too. I've got 6 in different tanks and not 3 wks goes by that at least 1 of them doesn't do that. The 8' tank has 2 Oscars and I'll get up and see they've got their fake plant pieces floating all over, the intake knocked off and the powerhead hanging down blowing sand all over the place. You might try getting him some tall fake plants so he doesn't feel so exposed but I don't think that's the reason he's doing it. Check for typical things like a broken heater or something. Other than that I don't know? Maybe just add some things to his tank so he feels like he's not so vulnerable.
 
Is there something else in the room that is "invading" his territory? He would be able to see into a lit room if his tank is dark and could feel exposed or threatened as Ksane mentioned. Their perceived territory is not limited to just the tank. It also includes part of the room they are located in.

(Hope you have plans on getting a larger tank)
 
The tank is against a wall. On the opposite wall, about 20 feet away, there is a TV. Can it be the TV that spookes him? I'm thinking about taking out his bridge which he likes to hide behind. I'm thinking that he can blind himself on it if it happens again. Right now, he is not moving and hanging out on the bottom. Sort of like shock. I don't have anything broken in the tank.
 
No, don't take away his one little bit of security. Or run out and get a bunch (10-12) of tall fake plants. He's probably feeling way too vulnerable as it is with only 1 thing in his tank. Fish have to have something to hide behind.
 
Yeah a fish which is alone with itself all day and then someone comes in and turns on the lights in the room & the tank will get pretty spooked.

I'd say get the tank lights on a timer - about 7 hours a day would be ok, set from say 4:00 to about 11:00pm...also when you get home, turn on the lights in the room and try and avoid that room for 10 minutes or so to let him get used to it or at least avoid the tank and try and move peacefully about. Sounds like he's just getting a shock from the lights going on/people moving up to the tank before his eyes acclimatise properly to the lights.
 
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