Erasing An Oscar's Memory?

[Bullrock74]

I have, on numerous occasions, witnessed this and wonder if others have as well. First, let me tell you about my oscar. It is nearly 18 months old and has a voracious appetite. Any food dropped in the tank will immediately be devoured. But, if I remove one of it's roommates or do an extra long cleaning of the tank (just taking longer not changing more water), something strange happens. It is as if the oscar doesn't recognize or trust me anymore. The exact same food offered the day before will now be refused. Oh, the oscar will sample it, but will immediately spit it out. It does not matter what type of food, either. This has happened with pellet food, green peas, human-consumption cooked shrimp, etc. However, the next day, the oscar will resume it's normal feeding behavior. It is as if the oscar's memory has been completely erased, but is fully restored the following day. I have read that some peoples' oscars sulk after a tank cleaning, but mine does not. It will continue to visit all areas of the tank, and all behaviors are the same, with the exception of feeding.

 

[SamUK]

they jus tend to get annoyed when someone they dont like enters there space and then can sulk about it for a good 24 hours it seems.


dont think they forget anything. mine doesnt seem too anyway.

 

[Bullrock74]

It doesn't sulk at all, it will still follow me around the tank, and still behaves normally in all respects except for feeding. Have you seen this before?

they jus tend to get annoyed when someone they dont like enters there space and then can sulk about it for a good 24 hours it seems.


dont think they forget anything. mine doesnt seem too anyway.

Are you saying my oscar doesn't like me? lol

 

[Ferris]

Mine does that all the time but i definetely consider it sulking, not so bad with water changes but if i re-arrange the tank, he certainly gets moody - doesn't last long though.

 

[LisaLQ]

LOL - that is sulking! He's saying "You scared me, I'm not eating anything you have to offer, you meanie!".

 

[Bullrock74]

Mine does that all the time but i definetely consider it sulking, not so bad with water changes but if i re-arrange the tank, he certainly gets moody - doesn't last long though.

I guess it's all in how you define sulking? I thought sulking was when a fish that normally would be out in open water would suddenly be found hiding behind a rock or a fish that would normally follow a person around the tank would suddenly act as if you don't exist.

 

[chibi]

He's like a little 2 year old! "You made my friend leaveeeeee.... waaaaahhhh~!! *whine whine whine* I'm not eating dinner!"

 

[Iron Man]

The same thing used to happen with a couple of goldfish I used to have. The others were fine but one would really pout, including refuse to eat for the day. He pouted so bad once, that while I was trying to gravel vacuum "his" corner of the tank, he sat in my way with his back turned to me.....no matter what I did, he kept/went back to that same position, and remain there for a while even after I had finished with the tank. Sometimes when I would come back to the tank he would even come to where I was just so he could turn his back to me.

They can get pretty sore at you.

 

[juanveldez]

actually if you really want to get technical its stress, the fish is stressed out because your changing the routine and they simply aren't used to it.

 

[Bullrock74]

actually if you really want to get technical its stress, the fish is stressed out because your changing the routine and they simply aren't used to it.

Maybe, but why does the fish still follow me around the tank? Normally, I think this is because it wants food. But, when it is refusing to eat, why then, does it still follow me around? Is it waiting for me let my guard down so it can strike?

actually if you really want to get technical its stress, the fish is stressed out because your changing the routine and they simply aren't used to it.

"Judging" by your signature, it seems you may want to choose a different path, since you are constantly facing DEATH.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Mine does that all the time but i definetely consider it sulking, not so bad with water changes but if i re-arrange the tank, he certainly gets moody - doesn't last long though.

I guess it's all in how you define sulking? I thought sulking was when a fish that normally would be out in open water would suddenly be found hiding behind a rock or a fish that would normally follow a person around the tank would suddenly act as if you don't exist.

oh you haven't seen a fish sulk until you've seen an oscar do it.

they're definately the kevin's of the fish world

 

[CFC]

"Judging" by your signature, it seems you may want to choose a different path, since you are constantly facing DEATH.

A bit more respect for someone who is serving in Iraq while we sit in our nice safe homes would be nice.

 

[Kevstir]

they're definately the kevin's of the fish world

 

[Bullrock74]

"Judging" by your signature, it seems you may want to choose a different path, since you are constantly facing DEATH.

A bit more respect for someone who is serving in Iraq while we sit in our nice safe homes would be nice.

How was one supposed to know that signature was about a soldier in Iraq? I assumed it was some inside joke or something. I, in no way, intended to crack on an honorable soldier. I hope you can see that.

 

[Bullrock74]

No response? None at all? I'll take that to mean you saw my point.