I will do this and as kewpiefishypewpie said, yes I do have prime and I will use that in the meantime to zero out that ammonia. Ty!
Oscar Cichlid Lost His Mind?
- Thread starter Doctorrussell
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- cichlid not eating oscar thrashing
I will also add that there are a couple other factors that can lead to stress and panicking.
One you shouldn’t leave the blue light on all night. I know it “mimics moonlight” however in cloudy water you can’t see any light once your down under a few feet at night. And fish sleep just like any other animal and it’s important for them to do so. A few hours at night is fine, but definitely shut it off.
Also, is the new tank exactly where the old one was? Or perhaps is it in a higher traffic area now? I’ve found that if a fish is used to a seldom used area (say a back porch) then is moved to a high traffic area. (Say a living room) they can act out and become extremely jumpy every time some one passes.
Also what’s your water temperature, higher temps can often lead to more aggression and activity.
One you shouldn’t leave the blue light on all night. I know it “mimics moonlight” however in cloudy water you can’t see any light once your down under a few feet at night. And fish sleep just like any other animal and it’s important for them to do so. A few hours at night is fine, but definitely shut it off.
Also, is the new tank exactly where the old one was? Or perhaps is it in a higher traffic area now? I’ve found that if a fish is used to a seldom used area (say a back porch) then is moved to a high traffic area. (Say a living room) they can act out and become extremely jumpy every time some one passes.
Also what’s your water temperature, higher temps can often lead to more aggression and activity.
That totally makes sense about the light, from here on out ill shut it off before bed.
And as for the location of the tank, it is the exact same location as the previous one. I thought in the beginning that it might be him getting scared by something, but there are days when im in another room and ill hear a thump and a splash and walk in to about a half gallon of water on the floor from his abrupt tail whips. Its to the point that I have had to weigh down the lid to keep it on.
Having spent the lesser part of a year in prison, I can very much relate to this analogy. Cramped spaces will make anyone go mad. An Oscar would definitely be happier in a larger tank. Some 200 gallons is what many would consider a minimum. Oscars are well known to be intelligent, and so will also appreciate plants and other decorations in the tank.
It's a little strange that your fish is only starting to exhibit this behaviour now, though it might be that he's pissed that now that he's finally getting a tank upgrade it's only 15g more, knowing he probably won't get an upgrade any time soon. I say treat him to a happy surprise and get him the largest tank you possibly can! After all, your fishes' aquarium is their entire world.
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Have you considered getting a used tank? You can find some seriously nice bargains on used aquariums, it's one of those things that for some reason are deemed nearly worthless if used. Doesn't matter if it's a dirty old tank either, so long as it holds water. Use plenty of table salt as soap, works wonders and is perfectly safe.
I see where you are coming from, and I agree that oscars are indeed smart fish! Ill scour the market and see if I can find any good deals!
But in the end I am understanding that the real issue here is going to come down to tank size, so if I cant find one in a decent amount of time, I feel it would only be best to try and rehome my beloved Oscar to someone who can afford to give him the life he deserves!
Hey guys- this behavior started when the OP upgraded the tank size. I agree that a 60 isn't great for an Oscar, but I doubt that's why the Oscar is acting strangely now, considering the behavior started when they put him in the larger tank. I think sometimes this forum gets tunnel-vision about tank size.
Oscars can be very moody fish. When I would change stuff around in my old Oscar's tank, he would throw temper tantrums that sound similar to what your fish is doing. I would recommend taking anything he could scrape himself on or could potentially injure him, and give him some time to adjust to the new surroundings.
Here is a video of my Oscar throwing a tantrum
Oscars can be very moody fish. When I would change stuff around in my old Oscar's tank, he would throw temper tantrums that sound similar to what your fish is doing. I would recommend taking anything he could scrape himself on or could potentially injure him, and give him some time to adjust to the new surroundings.
Here is a video of my Oscar throwing a tantrum
I agree that a 60 is way too small for the oscar, but not sure that is what is going on here. It sounds like you take good care of the fish, aside from providing an adequate sized tank. Save up for a 125, 6' tank. However in the mean time I'd try to rearrange the new tank exactly the way the old tank was setup and see if that helps. I owned a pair of oscars a long time ago, actually the fish that got me into the hobby. They went from a 29 to a 55 to a 150 and even in the 150 they would go nutty from time to time attacking the glass, etc when they were getting close to breeding. Maybe your fish is just getting bombarded with hormones at the moment... Keep the fish if you really like it, as sadly to say more than likely its not going to a better home
Just to add to the great info above, have you checked the functionality of the heater? I've heard of weird things happening like heaters shorting out a little bit into the water and causing issues and/or death with fish. Things outside the tank can freak fish out too, especially oscars.
Not ideal, but you can keep a single, lightly fed adult oscar in a little/no decor 55g by themselves. Even with that, it will still need at least 2 weekly fin level water changes. I'm not recommending this, just being realistic since probably 90% of oscars sold are plunked into 10-29g tanks to suffer a slow death.
I do agree that a 6ft, 125g is the best in terms of "minimum" tanks. 6 footers aren't doable for all of us.
FWIW, I keep an oscar and a green sev together in a 75. I've had'em going strong since 2013.
Not ideal, but you can keep a single, lightly fed adult oscar in a little/no decor 55g by themselves. Even with that, it will still need at least 2 weekly fin level water changes. I'm not recommending this, just being realistic since probably 90% of oscars sold are plunked into 10-29g tanks to suffer a slow death.
I do agree that a 6ft, 125g is the best in terms of "minimum" tanks. 6 footers aren't doable for all of us.
FWIW, I keep an oscar and a green sev together in a 75. I've had'em going strong since 2013.
IMHO your oscar is pissed/frustrated, at his age he is breading age, and wants to have a place to make as a nesting area/territory and your tank is not supplying this.
atleast a 4ft foot print for him will help but a 6ft much better. they can do fine in a 95g tall, its still a 4ft print but more water volume and room for him to swim in more than back and forth.
but I would be looking into getting a 125 or 145 better when you can.
atleast a 4ft foot print for him will help but a 6ft much better. they can do fine in a 95g tall, its still a 4ft print but more water volume and room for him to swim in more than back and forth.
but I would be looking into getting a 125 or 145 better when you can.
