CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hi,

I have an 80 gallon tank, and 2 oscars, I am not sure what kind they are. The scales are bright orange and they may be albino. One is about 5 inches and the other is about 6 or 7.

They have been acting strange and are not eating. There is so much to explain that I am hopeing someone who knows alot about them will just call me and ASAP because I am so concerned. My number is ***-***-****. If the long distance is a problem just call me tell me your calling about the oscars and i can call you back. No problem.

There is too much to say here, so I would really appreciate the phone call as soon as someone can call.

Thanks so much!

Leslie...

Hi Leslie and welcome to the fourm.
As some possible ideas, I would first look to the fish to see if its not the begining of ritual mateing. From the size you give, this is quite possible.
They might lip lock, which while looking aggressive is mostly a test of strength.
They might swim near each other and quiver.
Another common sign is tail slapping.
Clearing of the gravel, in one spot for nesting, if you have gravel.
Its possible their appitite will drop during this time.
Another possible situation would be a territorial struggle. Again in this the lip locking happens, however it is very aggressive, and the fish will open (flare) thier gills, charge each other, and try and drive one another out of the area one fish has claimed. Again the fish may not eat, due to both being very stressed over the strugle.
For health issues, check your water quality, check for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
Health issues from these problems are, hanging at the surface, hard gill action, sitting on the bottom, lack of colour, lathargic movement, not eating, fin deterioation, cloudy eyes.

I am not sure if this will help you, you can also browse through the ER forum, and the FAQ's.

Hey Fuzzy,

Thanks for replying! Since I have had them they have spawned and layed eggs 2 times, both times the bigger one has eaten the eggs--the eggs were kind of pink but never turned transparent. The nitrites today were 0.25 and the nitrates were 40 ppm's. I forgot to check the ammonia, so I am going to do that now. I was told changing the water will help with this--how much and how often. Also, I am going to start using Amquel instead of stress coat. When we had oscars before, we just used non-ech, and dechlor, and never had a problem. Hopefully, they are in mateing mode, they usually move gravel and stuff, but they haven't haven't done that yet.

Thanks for your help!

Hi Fuzzy,

I am so excited!!! I gave my oscars some pellets (large and they couldn't eat fast enough... Yippeeee...So I am making a few more, just a few to see opps...they ate them as well! Cool!

Well, just thought I would tell you the news!
I am going to go and change some of the water, my son brought me the Amquel, so I am going to change some of the water--about 20 gal. Can you tell me when I should change it again, and if I should test it before I change it again?

Thanks!

Leslie, sounds like a bit of a cycle issue, what type of filter are you using? From the tank size your ok with two O's, so if we are reading nitrites, then either your tank is not quite cycled, or the filter is being overload with bioload, causing mini cycles to happen.
Other than behaviour, and some mini cycling, I think your O's are fine. If it was me, I would not use anything but the declorinator. Make sure its one that works for both chlorene, and choromine (spelling). Post back and let me know what type of filters you have.

P.S. I removed your phone number from the intital post, you can put it back if you want Leslie, I just figured it might be best not to post it directly in an open thread.