Odd behavior

[iKineUno]

I have to juvenile tiger oscars about 3 1/2 in, and 4 1/2 in.

Over the last two days or so i've noticed an odd breathing pattern, they will take a few normal breaths, then struggle to take 3 or 4 large breaths. They have been slower than normal, hanging around the bottom of the tank more and more, aswell have gone mostly lighter color. But the color isnt temporary like i see it usualy, its been constant over the last 48 hours or so. No bloating, fungus, or pitting. Also no more scales missing or fins nipped than usual.

Over the past ten minutes or so the smaller of the two hasnt left the bottom of the tank, all of its fins are retracted, and his dorsal and tail fin are twitching more often than not.

Im getting a bit worried.. :help:

[iKineUno]

Alright, I did a 50% water change and both have perked up and are eating now.

so apparently it was as easy that thumbs2:

[kaimarkhirst]

Hi,

its not as easy as that im afraid. Watching for these signs are essential to fish health and well being, so well noticed, and well solved...

Listless and heavy/struggling to breath is signs of high toxins of ammonia/Nitrite, and the "yawning" or deep breath is usually a direct result of flushing toxins out of the body.... A water change will do it, but youll have to keep an eye on those water readings to find out whats going on..

REmember that oscars are big, bit they are still delicate Cichlids so a premium on water quality is a must for these bad boys...

Question. How bigs your tank... How long has it been running, and did you add the oscars together??

Kai

[kaimarkhirst]

Update.

These oscars..They wouldnt be in that 90g that youve listed by any chance??

Kai

[iKineUno]

Hi,

its not as easy as that im afraid. Watching for these signs are essential to fish health and well being, so well noticed, and well solved...

Listless and heavy/struggling to breath is signs of high toxins of ammonia/Nitrite, and the "yawning" or deep breath is usually a direct result of flushing toxins out of the body.... A water change will do it, but youll have to keep an eye on those water readings to find out whats going on..

REmember that oscars are big, bit they are still delicate Cichlids so a premium on water quality is a must for these bad boys...

Question. How bigs your tank... How long has it been running, and did you add the oscars together??

Kai

Well, im fairly sure i just need to pick up on my water changes.
Im a very busy person, and i dont have one of the hoses that hook up to the tap so it takes alot of time for me to do changes.. so i've been slacking. But im going to be making more time for those guys so this doesnt happen again

And they are in a 90gallon, its been running for a couple of months now.
The smaller of the two was in the tank for about a week or so before my larger oscar was added.

both of them are looking good now. Breathing, swimming, and eating properly :)

[kaimarkhirst]

If youve not got the time to spend on this tank. Why are you stockign it with fish that need a premium on care and attention??

Your puffer.. "Extremely premium care and attention fish"
Oscar Cichlids "Premium Care and Attention fish"
Green Terror Cichlids "Premium Care and Attention Fish"
Plecs "High boiload fish, Premium Care on Water Quality is Needed."
Convict Cichlids "Care on Water Quality is needed for continued health"

Not to mention that all these fish demand different setups of water hardness and PH ranges.

My Dad always had a mantra on fishkeeping, and he bred catfish, loaches, puffers, marines, eels, the lot..... and he said

"You get out what you put into aquatic breeding and keeping, but sometimes you have to put in more to get out the same or less, thats just life keeping life..."

You may want to look hard at this and then start deciding what going back to the LFS...

Also. Read your puffer post.....

Kai

[Northernguy]

It does sound like your perameters are rather high!
Your 90 should have more filtration then just that one filter.It will make a huge difference.
Oscars do need a rediculous amount of filtration.
Try refilling your tank with a hose instead of buckets.I clean my 135 that way and its no big deal really.I still use a gravel vac and buckets to clean!
I find it easier than all my other tanks.

[chronic]

I have to agree and say if you can't find the time to maintain your fish, you should get rid of some before you start chasing down problems.