My 2 oscar s 1 Albino 1 tiger

Question
QUESTION: I have a question recently about 3 months ago i purchased these 2 oscars at the local petsmart and put them into a 30 gallon tank because their rather small around 5-6 inches. Everything started out good, they were very active and and free swimming. Water temp was fine conditons i was cleaning the gravel and water changes once a week and feeding them rosises once a week. Untill recently they seem scared when i come near the tank and hide behind a gravel stone structure in the tank and seem to lay on their side. I have no clue what could be the problem do you have any ideas?

ANSWER: Hi Jimmy;

Look at them very closely for signs of parasites. Oscars often hide like that when they are sick and parasites are very common in fish that are fed live food. Also test the water to be sure there isn't a problem with ammonia or nitrites. That will also cause them to feel nervous and hide.

It is healthier for your fish if you don't give them feeder fish. Feeder fish are not kept in very good conditions before your store gets them and even seemingly healthy ones will carry disease to your fish. By the time they get to your fish store they are lacking in nutrition too. A better diet is a good quality pellet, stick, flake or gel diet.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice chris, Today i went out and bought AmQuel+ for the ammonia and nitrate problem. Then i went out and bought the Parasite tank buddies kit, because i noticed that the big problem was the parasites and bought them a parasite killing food which ill be feeding them 3 times a week twice a day then the other 4 days feeding them chichilid pellets. I decided that i will no longer feeding them rosies do you think this is a good idea?

-Jimmy

Answer
Hi Jimmy;

It really depends on what type of parasite is infecting them as to whether the food will work. Not all parasite meds are effective on all parasites. Follow the directions on the label and see how it goes. Get a larger tank for them very soon and you probably won't have any more ammonia and nitrite problems. Oscars a pretty messy guys.

Good luck and I hope they do better soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins