Oscar not so good

[andrew]

My oscar is ripping plants out by day but every so often he'll just stay put on his side.... I used to feed him pellets from my local co-op (farm store) now I feed him flakes twice a day... I test his water every second day and all is perfect... here are the tank specs

1- fluval 204 system
1- stationary power filter
1- aggetating power filter
1- protien skimmer (this system rocks by the way)
1- bubble wall
1- 3" pleco

water is at 76-78 degrees
ph 7.6
ammonia 0
niterite 0

I do water 20% changes every sunday treated with aqua plus

he just seems do be sick or something because all he wants to do is lie on his side...when I put my hand in the tank he'll let me give him a back rub which he never let me do before. any ideas?

 

[BettaMomma]

If he's letting you touch him, it's probably because he doesn't have the energy to get away from you. PROBABLY.

Does he have any other things visibly wrong with him?

I know next to nothing about oscars, but my bettas have up the list of diseases and back down that list again several times over, so I have some ideas of what certain diseases can do.

What else is he doing? Is he gasping for air? any spots on him?

 

[wuvmybetta]

Is he's pouting because he wants his pellets back? I know oscars are terrible about lying on their side when they're upset or stressed. Maybe the flakes aren't filling him up?

How big is he? How big is your tank?

 

[andrew]

he is about 4" in a 35 gal tank .... as for spots he is a red tiger oscar....he is swimming around now.... pellets may be the answer....i'll try him at a goldfish tomorrow....he likes wallmart fish

 

[black angel]

Using feeder fish may introduce disease to the tank as feeders often carry disease. can you feed him some beef heart, i think they can eat that. Sorry, not really up on cichlids. I thought as well that oscars need a 55 gallon tank for themselves. Maybe doing an extra water change through the week might help him too. As mentioned, maybe his diet is lacking in something, try doing a google search too and see what you can find on diet. Good luck