Oscar Not Well :( Advice Please

[shell30984]

Hi
I have an albino Oscar who has started floating - he seems to be well otherwise, eg eating etc
Most of the time he is in a normal position and you cant tell that there is anything wrong with him, but when he has stopped moving it seems that his back end floats higher than his front end.
All water parameters are fine and there is no gasping or other problems.
Any advice would be great

Cheers
Shell

 

[fluttermoth]

Can you post the actual numbers from your tests please? Also tank size, filtration and water change regime?

It's hard to pinpoint the root cause of the problem from your description; what do you feed him? Too many pellets can cuase bloat and constipation. I'd starve him for a week (I know he'll sulk and bang the lid, but it's for his own good!), do some extra water changes and see if he improves.

 

[minnnt]

Mine spends most of his time nose up and would be very worried to see him the opposite. Fingers crossed you sort him out!

Also, nose down Tiger Barbs is usually a sign of over feeding i think, so it maybe the case with O's too?

 

[shell30984]

Water parameters were normal, but it was only a stick test, I know they are not best but it's all I have to hand!
Water change has been 40% weekly, and tetratec canister filter running 1200l/hr. 580 litre tank.
Not had problems before this, and the other fish are fine!

 

[minnnt]

The filter isn't big enough Shell i'm afraid.

What is he feeding on?

 

[Devilish Angelfish]

Water parameters were normal, but it was only a stick test, I know they are not best but it's all I have to hand!
Water change has been 40% weekly, and tetratec canister filter running 1200l/hr. 580 litre tank.
Not had problems before this, and the other fish are fine!

Sounds to me like he may have developed a problem with his swim bladder, which helps a fish keep it's balance and position in the water column. Often when a fish begins floating or sinking (depending on what is wrong with the swim bladder and where the fish usually swims), the swim bladder has been damaged or infected or injured in some way.

 

[Davo86]

As said it sounds like you've been feeding too much dried food, mix in veg like deshelled peas and diced courgette as well as feeding a quality all round pellet that contains spirulina and vegetable matter

 

[minnnt]

What woould you suggest Davo?

 

[shell30984]

The filter is double the water quantity which I was told is a rough guideline, as we haven't had a problem before then I can't see it being this. However an explanation if it is would be awesome as I want to do my best for them!
I do feed alot of dry food, they are good all round cichlid pellets, I have tried cucumber but they hate it, and peas they weren't too keen on, but I didn't know to de shell them, so starve for a couple of days then try peas?

 

[minnnt]

Your filter is only suitable for aquariums upto 500 litres as stated by TetraTEC themselves. I tested one of my 1200's and i got a reading of approximately 864lph when full of media as they're tested empty at the factory. A turnover of at least 5 times tank volume is a more appropriate guide, especially when keeping large, messy cichlids such as Oscars. For instance, fellow members on here with similar sized tanks think nothing to running 2 FX5's that have a claimed lph of 2000+

Have you got any other fish in there with him?

I would attempt the starving for a few days and see if he improves. He will probably sulk as stated, but if it sorts him out then it's worth it.

 

[Davo86]

simply cut down on the dried foods and it should quickly return to normal, when attempting to feed the likes of peas or courgette soak them in something like bloodworm or brineshrimp first, or try combining them with more appealing foods like prawns

What pellet food are you using btw?

 

[minnnt]

I meant what food with spirulina and vegetable matter would you suggest? Or do you just mean give him peas every so often?

 

[Davo86]

Obvious ones would be spiulina enriched algae wafers, or Hikari Cichlid Excel (ideally fed in combination with Hikari Cichlid Gold) or the Aquarian or Ocean Free cichlid pellets.

 

[minnnt]

Thankyou. I have been feeding mine the Hikari Gold and Tetra Prima, so i will have a look out for the Excel