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Please help - sick Oscar.

K

Kingrugha

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
I have two Oscars purchased 8 months or so ago as babies. One is 3 times the size of the other. The small one started to look "ragged" a few weeks ago. Today he/she is not eating and listless. Water is crystal clear, 78 deg, regular water changes done routinely. Attaching a HD pic. Pls advise. Thanks.

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Kingrugha said:
I have two Oscars purchased 8 months or so ago as babies. One is 3 times the size of the other. The small one started to look "ragged" a few weeks ago. Today he/she is not eating and listless. Water is crystal clear, 78 deg, regular water changes done routinely. Attaching a HD pic. Pls advise. Thanks.

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Welcome aboard
I know you stated water is crystal clear tbh that doesn't tell you anything about the water parameters. Please post them. The smaller Oscar probably was picked on by the larger Oscar by the look of the torn fins.
 
Just used the API test kit. Ph was low 7's. Amonia was 0. Nitrate was 0 and Nitrate looked to be a little above 0 as it was slightly darker color(yellow/gold) than the Nitrite test. Hope this helps. Thanks.
 
One more thing - the little guy looks "beat up" but I have NEVER seen the bigger one show any aggression whatsoever. They are often chilling out together. I am gone most of the time so I only see them a few minutes out of the day.
 
Kingrugha said:
Just used the API test kit. Ph was low 7's. Amonia was 0. Nitrate was 0 and Nitrate looked to be a little above 0 as it was slightly darker color(yellow/gold) than the Nitrite test. Hope this helps. Thanks.
Click to expand...
What is your PH range in your area?
 
Kingrugha said:
One more thing - the little guy looks "beat up" but I have NEVER seen the bigger one show any aggression whatsoever. They are often chilling out together. I am gone most of the time so I only see them a few minutes out of the day.
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Believe me fish will do things without you knowing. Also very possible that you purchased a runt Oscar. When fish spawn you will get deformed and runt fry. Most Cichlids sold like Oscars are farm bred so the seller may not cull( remove the bad fry with deformities). With just 2 Cichlids in the aquarium you will have a hierarchy. The largest and stronger fish will always out compete the smaller weaker fish for food and space(territory). I suggest you seperate the 2 Oscars.
 
I believe you have your nitrite, and nitrate numbers mixed up. A cycled tank would always have 0.00 nitrite, and at least some readable nitrate.
What size tank?
If you are gone most of the time, it would be easy to miss aggression.
I would imagine in these apocalyptic times, you may now have more opportunities to observe.
 
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