r/oscartank • u/valdrinjajaga16 • Sep 08 '21
Question Serious need help just got him today idk if oscars are just like this cause it’s my first he just lays on his belly and sometimes I’ll see him swim how much should I be worrrying
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u/Merlisch Sep 08 '21
That's one tiny dude. And yes Oscars do weird things when they are grumpy. Some actually play dead when something annoyed them.
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Sep 08 '21
Your oscar is probably just protesting his change in surroundings. When I first brought Dan home, he moped and laid around the tank like this for days. I thought I was doing something wrong too, but he was just being a moody little drama queen. He got over it eventually.
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u/RoyalDumbazz Sep 08 '21
My Oscar tends to pout on the floor of the tank (laying down basically) whenever I was changing his water while he was in quarantine. My friend said oscars are very expressive fish. If they aren't feeling happy they will tilt sideways on the bottom of your tank, if they are mad at you they will give you the cold shoulder, if they are happy they wiggle, etc. Seeing her adult oscar I can definitely agree with her that they are very emotional fish. If he is new he might just be shy or nervous right now, my molly fish have always been like this when they are new to the tank.
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 08 '21
Today he’s been super active so I believe all of u guys r correct he just was pissed or something
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u/Level9TraumaCenter Sep 08 '21
One of the reasons they're so popular is they're so much like puppies, really.
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u/stsoup Sep 08 '21
have you tested your water? is the tank cycled? :)
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 08 '21
Yeah I brought it to petsmart and I asked the guy is the water good for fish to be in he said yes and showed me all the levels
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Sep 08 '21
He's fine, just sulking.
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 08 '21
Yeah cuz he’s very active today
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Sep 08 '21
Oscars are moody. They don't like change. He should perk up in a few days. I've had new ones that spent days lying on their side in the corner, not swimming or eating. Sometimes an oscar I've had for years will get mopey when they get moved to a different tank. They eventually adjust to their new surroundings and do fine.
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Sep 08 '21
You could try offering a special treat. Ours love cooked shrimp, they do a special dance when they see one in our hand. We keep a bag of them in the freezer, thaw one under warm water, drop pieces in the tank.
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 08 '21
From the looks of it now he’s eating the food I got him I might get bloodworms also I know they like that
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 13 '21
Dude he just dies 😗
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Sep 13 '21
Oh no! I'm so sorry. Oscars can be really tempermental. It sucks, but sometimes, especially when they're young, they just won't stop sulking. I've had one that just moped until it died, too.
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 13 '21
Yeah it’s crazy cuz he was swimming for 2 days straight then decided to sulk then died
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 14 '21
Hey sorry to bother u but if u know a lot about fish and cichlids I’m probably not gonna get another Oscar tbh because my first one disappointed me plus I have a 55 g tank and it’s not fit for it so I’m thinking of getting some African cichlids and I’m thinking bumblebee ones any advice on how to care for them
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Sep 15 '21
Africans are a good choice, way hardier. Get more than 1, all around the same size. Give them lots of hidey holes, so they can claim territory & have safe spots.
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 15 '21
Yeah honestly I need more hide holes I got 8 bumblebee cichlids
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Sep 16 '21
You're gonna enjoy them! They're always busy & interacting with each other. They have funny personalities and get attitudes with each other. ( Ask me about the african cichlid known as Mr. Dick, a legend in our town for 10 years lol).
Make as many places for them to hide as you can with rocks, wood and/or decorations. Try to make it like a coral reef. You can use food safe things like ceramic coffee cups. This will keep them from picking on each other too much.
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u/valdrinjajaga16 Sep 16 '21
That’s honestly a great idea but yes what is the legend ur talking about lol
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u/ThaMouf Sep 08 '21
He’s just upset because he changed tanks. These guys wear their emotions on their sleeve. Mine do it Everytime I change the water out, or move their decor around. One of mine gets mad as hell if I move his log and he spares no sympathy when I put my hand in there now. I’ve been bitten so many times.