Hello. I am new to the site. I have been keeping some fish off an over the last 15 years. I recently decided to dedicate my 75 gallon tank to a single fish. I currently have a juvenile Red Tiger Oscar. Tank water is 80 degrees, 0 ammonia, O nitrites, 10 ppm nitrates, and 7.6 PH. Filtration consists of an FX4 can and sponge filters and Tidal 110. I am not sure if I will keep the tidal 110 or keep the two sponge filters. I am feeding Northfin premium cichlid food (2mm) size and some New Life Spectrum Cichlid formula. My goal is to keep this fish for at least 10 years.
New to South American cichlids
- Thread starter Will2Run
- Start date
Welcome aboard
I suggest turning the temp down 78° and don't use the sponge filters. Use the FX4 and Tidal 110. Your water is hard I recommend fin level wc's per week and keep filters clean. Oscars are very prone to HITH aka hole in the head disease.
Please read link below https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/general-care-concerns-about-oscars.706203/page-2
Will do on temp. I plan to get rid of the sponge filters I am using them to seed the tidal and can. I am confused about "fin" level water changes. What kind of water change is that. I have been reading about HITH. It's horrible. I would not want to be responsible for that.
Empty aquarium until water until level is at the top or near the dorsal fin of the fish.
Post #38 gives a ideal what I mean. https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/the-great-oscar-picture-thread.703164/post-7934353
A fin level water change, is when you drain the water down to the height of the biggest fish roughly 75%to80% of the water volume.
I understand. Thank you for the visual. My water change would be almost 100% because the fish is only 2 inches.
I wouldn't go more than 80% in one go if it was me, don't do a 100% water change. I'm pretty sure you know this as you have fish keeping experience, but just in case.
I remember when my two were that size and it wasn't that long ago lol. Brilliant fish to interact with he/she looks great.
