oscars stoped moving (not dead)

Question
my oscars have stopped moving very much just moving slowly across the bottom what could be the problem they are in a 30 gallon but they are about 4 or 5 inches by them self  

Answer
Hi Mikeal
How many oscars are in there?  Usually it's recommended to have a minimum of 55 gallons for 1 oscar, and 75 gallons for 2 oscars.  But, that's the bare minimum, with no other fish in there with them.  Oscars grow to about 12-14 inches, and there's not much turning room for them in a 55 gallon.  Oscars also grow very quickly, I know the one I had was full size within a years time.  People may say it's ok, they'll only grow to the size of their tank, which isn't really the total truth.  There's a hormone in the fish that will tell it to stop growing, but the insides and guts of the fish continue to grow.  So you end up with a "stunted" fish, that has a round, abnormal shape, and it will shorten it's life and cause all kinds of problems for them.

For your immediate problem, do you have a test kit to test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates?  If not, I'd recommend getting one.  Ammonia and nitrites should always read 0 ppm, and nitrates under 20 ppm.  That may be what the problem is, the water parameters aren't right.  Oscars are messy fish, especially when eating.  The one I had was in a 55 gallon tank, and I would do 40-50% water changes twice a week to keep the water quality good.  Not sure how much you're changing now, but I would do the same, especially with that size tank.  Try doing one now and see if that perks them up a bit.  

I'd recommend upgrading to a larger tank, as soon as you can.  You really don't want them stunted.  Otherwise, I'd recommend getting rid of them till you can get a larger tank.  Sorry....

Hope that helps, and let me know if you have more questions.

Christy