black oscar

Question
QUESTION: Hello there! I have an oscar that will not eat and thats a problem within itself but the odd thing is that it hasn't eaten in about 3 days but still has a full stomach.  The oscar is about 2 1/2 inches long and appears to be be in good health other wise.  It's tankmates are a Pleco and a rapheal cat.

ANSWER: Hi Matt,
   Have you been feeding him feeder goldfish?

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


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

QUESTION: He hasn't had goldfish, they're bad for fish so I don't even bother with them, he diet is oscar growth pellets and an occasional treat of beef heart or a small piece of lobster.

ANSWER: Hi Matt,
  I am glad that you are not using feeder goldfish -- they carry a number of diseases and can cause intestinal problems amongst many other things.  So, that rules out goldfish.

  I assume that the pleco and raphael cat are still present? I ask because you would be amazed at what an oscar can eat.

  You might try offering a little bit of live brine shrimp. Most fish find the movement of live brine shrimp pretty hard to resist.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


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

QUESTION: I think I'll try that but I also forgot to mention that it's very sluggish and not very active and it still has a full stomach and swims around the top of the tank alot.

Answer
Hi Matt,
 Hmmm... unfortunately it may have an intestinal problem (what people sometimes call bloat).  If you can, try to get it to eat some thawed frozen green peas.  These help clear out the digestive tract. Sadly, the first thing that most fish with intestinal problems do is stop eating.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>