Headbanging Oscar

[Miss Wiggle]

my Oscar keeps going up to the top of the tank n hitting his head on the condensation tray, any suggestions what might be up with him, he gave me a right scare last night, got up on top of the condensation tray, thankfully his weight held it slightly under the water but he was in just a few mm of water for god knows how long thankfully he's ok n seems to be making a full recovery, but I dunno if there's something up with him that makes him keep doing it or if it's normal behaviour ?? Otherwise he seems completely ok, happy n healthy. suggestions anyone??

 

[mark7616]

What size tank do you have him in and what else is in there

 

[Miss Wiggle]

What size tank do you have him in and what else is in there

it's about a 30gallon tank (i think, rubbish at maths!) and he's in with a parrot fish, they're both young tho, he's only about 6 inches n she's 3/4.......... they're getting a mahousive corner tank as my birthday present shortly

 

[freddyk]

Get that bigger tank, and soon, that 30 gallon is really not doing anything good for him. Also make sure the parrot thing isn't bothering him, as Oscars are generally much happier alone or with their own kind then with other cichlids. As they grow up you'll probably see these two fish come to blows. For a corner tank you're looking at at least 100 gallons to keep both these fish for life, if they were to continue to get along.

Oscars are not African BTW, they're NW.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

polly's fine with him, they don't bother each other at all.

Do you mean imperial gallons or US? Fish shop I bought the tank from said it was big enough and they're quite reliable.

making myself look really dim here aren't i?! ha ha

 

[SamUK]

first rule of fish keeping.

never believe anyone whos gonna get money from you!!!


oscars need a minimum of 75 gallons and thats jus for one.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

aye yeah i suppose so, got 2 seperate fish shops n both said it was fine, ah well, had a bigger tank planned shortly anyway, will have to get my foot on the pedal with it!

 

[SamUK]

dnt worry, it happens all the time. your not the only one to be misinformed.


atleast your gonna do something about it unlike alot of people.

 

[freddyk]

polly's fine with him, they don't bother each other at all.

And I hope it continues, but the reason I mention they problably will at some point not get along so well is because these fish become more territorial as they grow and at their current size they're really practically babies. Niether of these fish are overly aggressive and there is some chance of it working, but consider it fair warning.

As far as fish shop advice goes, most will tell you what you want to hear to make a sale, and many really don't know much. The reason why you would need a bigger corner tank then rectangular is because the lack of length in the tank poses a problem regarding the amount of territory.

 

[ringham]

well my oscar doesnt do that, but now I have a rarther amusing picture of an oscar listening to headbangin' music (just call me wierd) because of your title lol.

 

[mamafish68]

"pollys fine"



I had an oscar go from hand feeding and lovable to slamming my elbow and drawing blood each time I vacc'd the gravel so dont feel so secure in your "babies"....THEY ARENT CHILDREN, THEIR ANIMALS AND ACT ACCORDINGLY.

The fool that told you 30 gallons would be fine should be ashamed and I believe he'll get his own personal KARMA for misleading people <<on scumbag LFS people they make me so mad, misleading newbies