Hello again,
I have an adult (we believe female) Oscar, 12” long. We got her when we adopted a used 60gal tank and its inhabitants 2 months ago. It was soon apparent that we needed a bigger tank, so 3 weeks ago we bought a brand new 90gal.
Current fish:
-12” Oscar
-10” Jack Dempsey
-8” common pleco
-a few tetras (I was hoping to use them as “dither fish” to hopefully coax the Oscar out of hiding).
The JD and the Oscar seem to me to be friends. They’re always together; Oscar seems to be the leader and of she’s out swimming, jack is too. If she goes and hides he does too. I have never seen any aggressive behavior like chasing, mouth flaring, etc.
Water parameters are excellent and I change water pretty often (when nitrates get about 40 or so), usually 40-50% twice a week. I don’t think water is my problem.
This Oscar (and due to his following behaviors, the JD too) is hiding behind decorations in the back corner ALL THE TIME. Seriously over 23 hours a day. She may poke her head out and swim across the tank and immediately go back into hiding. She’s often laying on her side on the gravel back there. For hours.
We can usually get her to eat a few crickets or pellets daily, but I don’t think it’s anywhere near the amount she should eat. I’ve seen her poop exactly twice in two months. She doesn’t seem thin and also not bloated. JD never eats in front of us but I do see him picking stuff up off the bottom. He never seems to poop either.
They’ve been here two months and they still scramble every time they see us. Is this normal?!? How long do these fish take to get comfortable?!? Or is it something else?
I have done endless research on diseases and parasites and water conditions and lighting etc. I can’t get these fish to come around!!!!
Again, it’s the Oscar I need help with. The pleco and tetras are great. And the JD just does whatever the Oscar is doing, so if she comes out of hiding he will too.
Anyone?
JS
I have an adult (we believe female) Oscar, 12” long. We got her when we adopted a used 60gal tank and its inhabitants 2 months ago. It was soon apparent that we needed a bigger tank, so 3 weeks ago we bought a brand new 90gal.
Current fish:
-12” Oscar
-10” Jack Dempsey
-8” common pleco
-a few tetras (I was hoping to use them as “dither fish” to hopefully coax the Oscar out of hiding).
The JD and the Oscar seem to me to be friends. They’re always together; Oscar seems to be the leader and of she’s out swimming, jack is too. If she goes and hides he does too. I have never seen any aggressive behavior like chasing, mouth flaring, etc.
Water parameters are excellent and I change water pretty often (when nitrates get about 40 or so), usually 40-50% twice a week. I don’t think water is my problem.
This Oscar (and due to his following behaviors, the JD too) is hiding behind decorations in the back corner ALL THE TIME. Seriously over 23 hours a day. She may poke her head out and swim across the tank and immediately go back into hiding. She’s often laying on her side on the gravel back there. For hours.
We can usually get her to eat a few crickets or pellets daily, but I don’t think it’s anywhere near the amount she should eat. I’ve seen her poop exactly twice in two months. She doesn’t seem thin and also not bloated. JD never eats in front of us but I do see him picking stuff up off the bottom. He never seems to poop either.
They’ve been here two months and they still scramble every time they see us. Is this normal?!? How long do these fish take to get comfortable?!? Or is it something else?
I have done endless research on diseases and parasites and water conditions and lighting etc. I can’t get these fish to come around!!!!
Again, it’s the Oscar I need help with. The pleco and tetras are great. And the JD just does whatever the Oscar is doing, so if she comes out of hiding he will too.
Anyone?
JS