sleeping oscars

[aetchell]

Ive just popped downstairs for a fag and looked in my tank only to see my oscars laid on there sides, looking dead. I switched on the light in a panic and the fish started moving around again.

is this normal behaviour for oscars?, ive never noticed them doing it before!

ive watched them in the dark before and this is new behaviour as far as i am aware.
They also seem to squabble a lot at night, I sometimes hear the water being thrashed around and each morning they sport new scars

anyone know of any sites that give a good profile on oscars?
they are tiger oscars if that makes any difference (all between 5-6" in length)


cheers
ash

 

[Dwarfs]

Fish do sleep, sort of. Most rest on the bottom of the substrate, and don't move until "daylight". I wouldn't worry about the oscars, they're probably fine

 

[freddyk]

Oscars are funny fish, they'll lie on there side at night, or sometimes if they're just stressed or confused.

That aggression, especially with telltale scars is not a good sign. Not all Oscars are compatable and those that are still need a lot of space. I'd suggest consider doing something about that. Fighting means high stress levels in the tank.

 

[Synirr]

My oscar often "sits" on the bottom of his tank and sometimes tilts over on his side... but the slightest movement in the room and he's back to swimming around begging for food, so I'm guessing this behaviour is normal

 

[troutfly]

My old Oscar used to sleep on his side all the time, he would lie down and almost look like he was pouting. Unless you have them two fish of yours in a 55 gal or bigger you are going to have problems with them, they need space.

 

[freddyk]

Unless you have them two fish of yours in a 55 gal or bigger

More like 100 gallons or bigger...

 

[keane]

they are tiger oscars if that makes any difference (all between 5-6" in length)

how many is "all" ?? and what size is your tank??

as freddy has mentioned just a pair of oscars need a tank of 100 gallons minimum.

steve

EDIT: Just read in another post that you have 5 Oscars in a four foot tank. I think you are heading for some serious rioting and probable deaths in the not so distant future .