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My Oscar has started doing a headstand, or even flipped over backwards a bit. Just sits in his favorite corner, but doesn't seem to respond. He has not wanted to eat much the last few days either.

We did move his tank a couple weeks ago, and I bought him a big canister filter (xp3). I had an aquaclear 110 on his tank before that, and I put the ceramic media into the XP3.

I did a 1/3 water change last week.

He is in a 75 gallon tank on his own, hes about 6 or 7 years old and large, a foot or more long.

I've searched, but I can't find much other than it could be his swim bladder is infected? I saw ppl say they used medication, but they didn't say what kind or where to get it.

Please offer any help you can, we don't like seeing Geoff unhappy

More info:

I have some submersible heaters, 100W (maybe 150?) each I think. They have sucked lately at keeping his temp stable in the tank. The water dropped down to 77 or 76, even when I was periodically bumping up the temp. It has been pretty stable at 79+ a bit for the last day or two.

Before that, it was overtemping and running up to 82 and even 83+.

A) could this have stressed him out too much?

B) should I raise the temp from 79.6 ish?

Thanks,

Mike

Hi, Mike:

Couple of things to consider:

With the change of filters, it's probably a good idea to monitor water chemistry for awhile. What are your readings on ammonia/nitrite/nitrate? How often do you change water, and how much? What is your O's diet?

It's possible you're looking at a swim-bladder (or other) infection, but that isn't the only possibility. First check those water test readings. If you have significant measurable ammonia or nitrite, do a series of daiy water changes while your "cycle" re-establishes. If your readings prove to be OK, then you probably ought to medicate. If there's a decent fish shop near you, talk to the proprietor about the antibiotics he carries. You can also read the labels and instructions yourself -- most are well described on the labels. Follow the instructions to the letter! Be aware that meds can really screw up your biological filtration, so take the filtration and water change instructions on the medications to heart. There are other possibilites as well, such as internal parasites, but start with the water readings, then if necessary the antibiotics. Keep us posted, and good luck!

I don't know the water specs; I've never tested.

He eats only Hakari Large pellets; won't touch anything else (non-live).

I sometimes don't change the water as often as I should, maybe it goes a month sometimes. But, I just did a 1/3 change last week, and he had a fresh tank a week or maybe two before that.

He never acts sluggish or ill, like there is a water quality problem, and he's 7 years old. I got the big Rena XP3 so I could give him better filtration/water quality knowing I'm not the best at routine water changes. I need to remove some of the foam and add some more ceramic media.....

He did respond yesterday evening when I shone a 4D Maglight on him and his heater. When I reached in to turn the heater up a hair he got hacked and swam to the other side of the tank. He had no bouyancy issues, and swam fine and could stay wherever he wanted to in the water column. He acted like he wanted to think about eating, but the went back to his corner under some driftwood.

This morning before work he was in teh same vertical position, and today after work was in the position as well.

He does respond when I walk over to the tank; well he looks at me anyway. He doesn't seem particularly bloated, and he doesn't appear tobe breathing hard.

He's done some odd things over teh years to scare me, but nothing that went on for this long.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Mike

Oh yeah, teh nearest good store is about 45 minutes away, through a very congested tunnel. I'll call and see what they say and maybe to get some salt or something if they thing that might help.

OK, had his water tested.

pH = 7.2 (guy said perfect for an Oscar)

Ammonia = 0 (perfect)

Nitrite = 0 (perfect)

So, water quality isn't an issue, nor the biological filtration I'd say.

LFS guy thinks he is constipated; recommended salt. I broke down and got some expensive LFS salt instead of using the Kosher salt I have because I don't feel like risking the life of the already less-then-healthy acting Oscar is worth a couple bucks.

The LFS guy recommended:

1 tsp (teaspoon) per 4 gallons

Does this sound about right? Said it would help act as a mild laxative.

Thanks,

Mike

So far so good. I'd sugget also testing for nitrates. Should be below 40ppm.

Got a test kit and checked nitrates. They were abit high, so I did a 50% water change. Now 40 or less.

He looks worse today, so I'm medicating him with Maracyn Plus right now, hope it helps.

Mike