URGENT: move the Oscar being beaten up or the one doing the beating?

[cichlidchic]

then you probably have a pair and the one having the daylights beat out of him is a rival. they can't go together.

[SOULJAA]

The addition of the wood may have triggered a cue in the "pair" to "establish our territory" b/c it has somewhat sectionalized the tank.

As a rule of thumb, I always remove/isolate the aggressor perhaps in the same tank if possible. That way the aggressor eventually learns that it has to live w/ the weaker one in close proximity and not be able to do anything about it.

Finally, invest in some larger hamster balls . This is an excellent thing to use as a time out for a mean fish. I've been using them for years!!! These are available at Petco and Pet Smart.

[fshfrk]

hamster balls good ideal!

[SOULJAA]

Hamster balls have saved me SO much money over the years of being in the hobby b/c it allows you to isolate a fish for whatever reason in the same tank...which equates to less hassle/headache of trying to figure out how and where to set up an additional tank. My older sister gave me that "insider's tip", so I'm passing it on to you...each 1 teach 1!!!! Glad I could help!!!

[NewAquaMom]

LMAO I at first thought you all were using the term Hamster Balls as an expletive..That will teach me to not just scan a thread but actually read carefully. Best laugh all day

[fishymommy]

Poor Biggie. He's looking worse now. His belly is all distended, more so on one side than the other and he's hanging in the water face down, tail up, looking pathetic. I'm still treating with melafix. Is there anything more I can do for him? I called Fishland to ask his opinion and he told me to buy a new Oscar. :-P I hate to say it, but I'm a little attached to this fish.

[cichlidchic]

have you tried blood worms? mine was acting all depressed when i first got him, wouldn't eat, etc. then i got on a nightly routine of feeding them bloodworms, and he perked right up. funny thing, oscars can be, i missed feeding them the worms last night, because i bought the whole tank some feeder comets (my petsmart keeps healthy ones from what i've seen) and everyone including delahoya was ejoying those. but this morning i turned the lights on, and he was sitting front and center with the most pittiful look on his face! i moved to the other corner, and he folowed me, moved back and he did too. fed the tank, and he wouldn't eat, just sat there, fins dragging. picked up the bulb syringe i feed him with, and he got all happy! hubby had to feed him, cause i was running late.

he may be lonely. or cold, check your temp. add aquarium salt. that always helps me. and if nothing else works, try getting him a friend for his new home.

[Zulaab]

Any chance of pictures of the fish ?
If he is still eating I would recommend getting some Metro and soak food in it, and then feed it to him. Metro is a power medication that will kill a large number of protozoan's and other internal organisms that can cause fish the problems you are describing.

[fishymommy]

Here are a couple pics of him. His tummy isn't as swollen as yesterday and he isn't hanging upside down in the water today. Just sitting on bottom facing the wall. I have offered him food, but he hasn't eaten since the beating took place.

[fishymommy]

He died just now. :*(

[cichlidchic]

OMG!!! I'm so sorry!!!

[finfan]

so sorry to hear that, he was a beautiful fish...

[Aquarose]

WOW this is EXACTLY what my Oscar pair are going through. They have been raised together, three years now, and the female is beating the crud out of the male. I thought they were mating at first, because, well, cichlids aren't known for their gentle spawining nature! But it go to where he was laying on his side VERY docile. I removed him to a 29G to recoop. Left them apart for over a week and put them back together today - WELL at first it was like, "OMG I MISSED YOU SO MUCH" and not three hours later he looks like his jaw is broken. So I put a divider up in the 100 gallon and I guess she'll go find a new home. I bought him first and he has way more personality than she does. I guess some just don't get along?

[fishymommy]

yeah, I really want to get rid of the fish I now call Meanie, but the hubby won't let me.