Desperate Help!

[snake007]

He pooped once the other day, it was the chicken I was told to feed him, he aint pooped since, as he aint eaten since.
Just that little piece of pellet.
He doesnt look injured physically.

He seems lifeless but still moves.

 

[snake007]

Will upload some pics of him

 

[snake007]

Sorry not the best of photos, manage to catch a few before the phone died,

Pardon the picture quality, phone didn't do a good job

 

[snake007]

 

[colleen0309]

It looks like he is doing the normal oscar "pout". If it wasn't for the fact that he hasn't eaten in two weeks, I wouldn't be too concerned. Could you possibly try squeezing a little garlic on his normal pellets? But even if he does eat, it doesn't address what caused him to quit eating in the first place. I'm still leaning toward internal parasites, but I am no expert. i know just about everyone will disagree with this, but do you know anyone with unwanted guppy fry? I've never seen an oscar turn down a guppy treat. Don't use feeder goldfish, they tend to be filled with parasites and disease. Has anything changed drastically in his tank(did you remove anything, especially another fish?)? Only try the guppy trick as a last resort and make sure you know where they are coming from and are healthy.

 

[snake007]

Well funny thing is I have a whole load of convict fry and I mean a WHOLE load, I could maybe drop him in a few, I will also try the garlic thing first.
Thans for your help!
I removed my convicts from the tank about 3-4 weeks ago because they were trying to pick on him.

 

[colleen0309]

Was he pouting before you removed the convicts? Was he eating before you removed the convicts? He could be missing his tankmates. that's still a long time for him to pout, but I guess it could happen. The longest my big baby pouted was a week. I took the rock out of his tank and he threw a fit! I put it back in and all was well with the world again. If you don't mind losing the fry, drop a few in and see what happens. I have two pair of pink convicts and have tons of fry all of the time. My angels get a snack when I get overpopulated.

 

[snake007]

Yes he was fine but he didnt start straight after, after about a week he started.
I dont see how he would miss them, they were trying to batter him as they started to breed.
I put the fry in, they swam passed him and my senegal had them
Tried the garlic trick and he put it in his mouth had a couple chews then spat it out whole, its like he struggled to chew it.
Not sure what to do...

Just thought i'd post a pic of when he was younger and active!

 

[colleen0309]

I'm sorry, I'm at a loss too. All I can think to do is put one or both of the convicts back in his tank and see if he perks up. It's probably not the best idea for the convict, but it is all I can think of and what I would try if it was me. Maybe he misses the activity of a breeding pair of convicts. Without any more symptoms, I don't want to say it's internal parasites. I'm a firm believer in if you don't need to treat a fish with chemicals, then don't. If you decide to try putting the convicts back in, just keep an eye on them and make sure they aren't picking on the oscar.

 

[snake007]

Hmm that would be abit of hard work, to move the fry and convicts back lol.
I would do it but im scared he would get torn up and kill him.
I might try it if things dont pick up.
Thanks for your help!

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

I am sorry, but i think it might be parasites. We ruled out (almost) all of the possible diseases and causes.

Maybe he misses the activity of a breeding pair of convicts. Without any more symptoms, I don't want to say it's internal parasites.

Oscars or cichilds don't get lonely. It's a common misconception, since they get so big only one is allowed in the tank.

 

[colleen0309]

You wouldn't have to move the fry, just the pair of convicts. If he perks up, look into getting him something similar to replace the convicts. If you do take the convicts away from the fry, you might have problems if you try to put the parents back in with them. But at the rate convicts reproduce, you will have more fry in no time. Time is not on your side. If he's lonely, you have more time. If it is parasites, the sooner you treat, the better for the oscar. whatever you decide, good luck! And keep us posted. I'd love to know if your oscar is just a big ol baby or really sick.

I am sorry, but i think it might be parasites. We ruled out (almost) all of the possible diseases and causes.

Maybe he misses the activity of a breeding pair of convicts. Without any more symptoms, I don't want to say it's internal parasites.

Oscars or cichilds don't get lonely. It's a common misconception, since they get so big only one is allowed in the tank.

Oscars may not get "lonely", but they do not like change in their environment and removing a pair of breeding convicts will cause a definate change. I had my oscars (I had 3)in a 125 gallon, they were quite social.

 

[snake007]

Well instead of adding the convicts I added one of my firemouths, they done a bit of flaring then they went their own ways.
He seems to be swimming a bit more, I'll have to keep an eye.
Thanks again!

 

[snake007]

Quick update - The firemouth took a disliking to the oscar and started picking on him, I removed the firemouth and the oscar is now back on the ground ARGH!
What could be wrong !!??

 

[colleen0309]

He did perk up with the firemouth? Even a little? I wish you could have left the firemouth in just long enough to see if the oscar would eat, but no sence causing damage to either fish with fighting.