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My Oscar has not eaten in a week and is sitting on the bottom of the tank. Also seems to be swollen in the belly/anal area. Has had constipation before, but always got better within 2-3 days. Diet of Hikari pellets, same as always. Tested water - PH and Ammonia OK, Temp. is fine, Tank Mates,Jack Dempsey and Platy seem fine. He's 10-12" long, 4-5 yrs old. 50 gallon tank with 2 powerheads/undergravel system and penguin 330 bio-filter. Seems to be stressing and occassionally will roll to side. Usually active, begging for food and tearing up tank. Doesn't seem to have any of the common diseases. Can't find any info. as to what is wrong, seems to be getting worse, not better. Any info. would be helpful.

well if he seems to be constipated try adding some aquarium salt to the water that should help to clean him out and relive him of the constipation. Also if this a constant problem try missing one day of feeding him.

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great expectations are things that refuse to materialize and a promise never kept.

Epsom salts would be better.
What you might find is that the pellets are swelling up in his stomach and causing a compaction. Feeding green peas and soaking the pellets will help. Also becarefull not to overfeed as oscars will eat 10 times more than what they need. This causes a lot of health troubles.

Thanks for the response about our sick oscar. You recommended epsom salt, How much for a 50 gallon tank? Also, as for the green peas, should they be fresh ones, or could we use frozen peas (thawed)? When feeding, we usually put a few floaters in the tank and then soak the rest(our Dempsey doesn't like to come to the top for food if he doesn't have to). We did use a different type of pellet about a month ago, but noticed how much the pellets "puff up" and went back to the Hikari. Wonder if the other caused this!? Won't be using the Wardley sinking pellets ever again. In the 5 yrs we've had our oscar,she's only had constipation troubles two other times and got better in a few days, this time is a little scary going on so long. Since she still isn't eating, we are hoping she will take the peas, not exactly the type of pet to try and force feed. Thanks Alot for your help.

[This message has been edited by JL Oscar (edited 04-30-2002).]

Frozen peas out of the skins are best

With epsom salts its best place the fish in a dip/bath of it for 5 minutes once a day untill the compaction has passed.

Sorry the following doses are in metric (thats what we use in Australia) and I am unsure of the us standard measurements.

70 grams of epsom salts per 1 litre of water for a dip/bath for 5 minutes. ( a bucket can be used and use water from the tank so its around the same temperature)
I know that approx 3.78 litres = 1 US gallon, but am not sure of grams to the US standard equivelant.

I have heard that you can put it straight in the tank at a rate of 1 table spoon per 10 US gallons but have not done this myself.

Hope this helps and I hope someone can convert metric to US standard for you, unless you already know the conversions

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TONY
Australian and proud of it!!
My Cichlidfish.com Home page
No Feeder Nazi
worldcichlids.com

[This message has been edited by oscar2001 (edited 05-01-2002).]

try doing a water change.i have 2 oscars in a 30 gal tank .yes i know building a 70 gal.if that works building a100gal tank.
ok back to your oscars .my oscars get the same way.like to night wont eat?did a 15 gag water change in a 30 gal tank 10 min after the change they allmost ate my finger hand feading
my oscares are only 4"
but it seame to work every time they get this way.30 gal tank filter 300gal hour .iknow the water is clean .just try changing the water it might help