alex557 Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Hi, I have a 2 year old oscar who has recently started to swim in circles. It started a couple of days ago however yesterday didn't seem to do it, so I thought it may have been a one off. However today he has been doing it almost nonstop. His behaviour is also not normal, he was also sitting in the corner on the bottom off the tank for a little bit which is also unusual for him. I would say he now looks agitated. I have tested the water several times and have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10-20 ppm nitrates. Does anybody have any ideas about what is wrong with him? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nana man Posted November 3, 2015 Report Share Posted November 3, 2015 What's your tank size Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase86uxb Posted November 3, 2015 Report Share Posted November 3, 2015 Check that electrical equipment hasn't shorted/failed just one option..... What else is in the tank with him???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nana man Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 If you tank is to small for him it might be a classic example of Oscar abuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex557 Posted November 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 The tank is 550L. I suspected the heater at first so I took it out. I could not see any cracks and he did continue doing circles after the heater was taken out. There is 3 silver dollars, firemouth, convict and an EBJD. His behaviour seems to be calming down (not doing circles) anymore although still a bit erratic. Like he will swim backwards into the glass and then get a fright and splash everywhere. This is not his typical behaviour so I'am still a little concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORANGEMELLY Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 The tank is 550L. I suspected the heater at first so I took it out. I could not see any cracks and he did continue doing circles after the heater was taken out. There is 3 silver dollars, firemouth, convict and an EBJD. His behaviour seems to be calming down (not doing circles) anymore although still a bit erratic. Like he will swim backwards into the glass and then get a fright and splash everywhere. This is not his typical behaviour so I'am still a little concerned. If you can do it..I found filming the fish and putting it on youtube helped.....and you can put link on here so others can see what you are describing...it may be that he is being stressed by the other fish - they get up to a lot of mischief when we are not watching them..... ....the behaviour of my oscar changed recently too with the death of my chocolate cichlid...(which I believe was stress related as she had been muscled out of her favorite spot by my dominant severum...I think their bickering took its toll...) he was charging all over the tank looking quite distressed..but has settled down now..oscar and severums will be going into their new home next week...700Litre tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex557 Posted November 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 This is a video of him a few days ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORANGEMELLY Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) This is a video of him a few days ago. I have asked people who I talk with in the youtube fish community to have a look at your video...from my own research I would suggest that it may be your water. Several other people who reported the same thing (google search) all had water parameters that were a bit off...such as nitrite and nitrate readings that were too high...myself, the moment I see my fish behaving oddly I do a 30-40% water change. But you have tested your water and it is apparently okay....my own thought is that he is stressed...if you have another tank that is cycled and up and running I would move him to that. (50 gallon minimum) Edited November 5, 2015 by ORANGEMELLY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
