My Oscar Is Sick!

**Lucinda** · 10-18-2009, 11:27 AM

My 6-year old oscar hasn't eaten for 10 days. I wasn't initially worried because he was doing his preparation for mating ritual...moving gravel, cleaning off his flat stone, doing the head jerks, acting ferociously at his own reflection in the glass of his tank, and not eating.
My oscar lives alone (his mate died a couple of years ago) and he has always been very interactive with the family. He has been a happy fish!
Oscar's home is a 250gal tank. He has lived in it since he was a baby. he has no tankmates (he ate his friends years ago). His water hass been tested and is good. His diet is limited because he is fussy. He eats pellets and green peas! I was advised long ago not to feed him live food unless it is in the form of mealworms raised by me.
So...I have one sad, mournful fish who just sits in his 'nest' and looks like he's going to die.
Any suggestions?

**rich311k** · 10-18-2009, 01:30 PM

I wish I knew what to tell you. I hope he snaps out if it. Maybe a few live crickets to perk him up.

**Ocellatus** · 10-18-2009, 03:20 PM

I hope its one of those periods of not eating and not caring that oscars sometimes get in to!
if so, he will start acting normal after a few weeks.

**MCHRKiller** · 10-18-2009, 08:04 PM

Whats your water parms?

You may try to intice him to eat with some frozen food, or as said live crickets or even chopped earthworms.

**Scrup** · 10-19-2009, 09:03 PM

I have heard and read that garlic might boost his appetite..worth a shot.

**Northernguy** · 10-19-2009, 10:41 PM

Welcome to the Fabulous AC!
Sorry to hear about your fish.I hope he perks up soon.
Minced garlic is great for fighting off internal parasites and mine seem to enjoy it a fair bit.

**Lucinda** · 10-20-2009, 12:24 AM

Oscar is still struggling on, but not eating. Minced garlic??? I haven't wormed him...how do you administer minced garlic? How much?

I have been doing 32litre water changes twice daily in case his water has been poisoned by fly spray or something. I had visitors including small children staying when Oscar became ill. His tummy seems a bit distended now, and he has taken to hanging around the top of his tank more, so I'm not holding out much hope. He is a large fish (16") and is really battling.

So sad to see....

**PhilliesWorldChamps** · 11-26-2009, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by Lucinda

Oscar is still struggling on, but not eating. Minced garlic??? I haven't wormed him...how do you administer minced garlic? How much?

I have been doing 32litre water changes twice daily in case his water has been poisoned by fly spray or something. I had visitors including small children staying when Oscar became ill. His tummy seems a bit distended now, and he has taken to hanging around the top of his tank more, so I'm not holding out much hope. He is a large fish (16") and is really battling.

So sad to see....

Wow that sux!
Mine love to eat live nightcrawlers, and they never turn down a high quality cichlid pellet.

**Northernguy** · 11-26-2009, 06:56 PM

Chop up some fresh garlic or get a bottle of minced.
Just give them a little and roll their pellets around in it also.
I give mine a few tiny peices every feeding.
Not too much or the water will stink too.