Very bad people

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logtail

Medium Fish
#1
Mar 10, 2008
79
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#1
So, I was returning some stuff to a store when I saw a Petco out of the corner of my eye and said, Why not? I went inside and poked around for a while and was just leaving when I noticed one of the workers holding a ten inch long oscar (yes, I said holding, as in the way one would hold a puppy). I characteristically said "What the hell are you doing holding that fish?!".

She seemed unfazed by my interrogation and responded that someone had brought the poor bastard in- in a FREAKING kitty litter pail no less- in 60 degree water and said "Here ya go, I don't want him anymore."

Long story short, I brought him home and stuck him in my giant tank, after a few hours of acclimation to the warmer water as he was EXTREMELY lethargic. I thought the poor guy was going to die, but he survived the night (Sunday) laying at the bottom of the tank, and by morning he was up and swimming around, albeit slowly.

Monday I bought him some of that high dollar Hikari Cichlid food as he seems to have hole-in-the-head, which I am told is caused by certain vitamin deficiencies. I was afraid he wouldn't eat it, but he settled right in and munched happily on the big pink pellets.

Anyway, he seems to have fungus- he has some cottony crap on his body- and his scales were damaged by whoever tossed him in the pail, but HE SURVIVED. I am just pissed that someone would subject this animal to mistreatment; he is a beautiful fish, but even if he wasn't, what the hell?

So here's a pic or two, with more to follow. Just thought you guys would like to know. And by the way, yes, I moved all the other fish out of the big tank before I put him in there.



 

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C

Cichlid-Man

MFT Staff
#3
Jul 9, 2003
8,866
14
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38
Columbia, SC
www.youtube.com
#3
Just for the record, the kitty litter pail....i don't see a problem with transporting fish in that. It'd be the same as using a 5gal bucket from Lowes. And you can hold fish, as long as they stay wet, and their gills stay wet. They might be a little uncomfortable but its not a sin to take them out of the water.
 

L

logtail

Medium Fish
#4
Mar 10, 2008
79
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#4
That's true- I handle fish when I catch and release- I guess I was just pissed at the whole situation. I think a lot of people do this same crap when the fish gets too big. I just think you ought to know how big the bastard's going to get before you buy it, you know?
 

L

logtail

Medium Fish
#5
Mar 10, 2008
79
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#5
Ok, here's an update: I don't know about this fish. He seems to be doing ok- his color's looking better, but he doesn't really seem to be eating the Hikari pellets. Is there something else I should be giving him? He swims around most of the day, but seems to lie down a lot at the bottom of the tank towards the evening. Is this normal? How do I get him to eat?
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#7
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
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Florida
#7
Hey logtail, congrats on the rescue!
Looks like he's got lots of potential to be a stunning specimen---I can see why you felt compelled to rescue the poor bugger! :cool:

His behavior (reluctant to eat, laying on the bottom) is most likely nothing more than sulking. Oscars are notorious for this 'sulking' behavior---which typically occurs whenever any significant change in their environment has taken place. Given the move he recently endured, I'm not surprised at all by how yours is behaving. This sulking activity typically can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks...depending on the individual oscar.

That said, I would still expect for his appetite to start increasing in the next 10 days to 2 weeks. Oftentimes they can be fussy when introduced to new food offerings (even something as simple as a switch from one brand of pellet to another can trigger this), so just give him time and I'm sure he'll come around and start eating like a pig.

Based on your initial description and pics, I was inclined to think that his skin/scale issues was a result of transport. Most likely the whitish 'fungusy' looking appearance you mentioned was due to disturbances in his slimecoat. This seems to be clearing up based on your more recent pics of him, right? If so, then I'd say it's nothing to worry about.

I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that the bulk of what you are witnessing in your oscar's behavior is due to sulking. Definitely keep a close eye on him, but also be sure to keep the lights out and leave him as undisturbed as possible. My bet is that he just needs some time to recover and that he'll start behaving like a totally different fish before you know it! ;)
BV
 

L

logtail

Medium Fish
#8
Mar 10, 2008
79
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#8
Wow. That was very helpful. He actually looks a lot better- his color is returning and now on day 4 he is finally eating his pellets. Thanks for all of your help!
 

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