Baby oscar laying on side, motionless

I just got a baby oscar for my 55 gallon growout tank, and put him in and hes laying o his side. his gills are moving, but he is motionless. is this normal?

 

I just got a baby oscar for my 55 gallon growout tank, and put him in and hes laying o his side. his gills are moving, but he is motionless. is this normal?

Not normal....what are your water parameters?

 

ph6, ammonia at .5 and nitrite at 0, nitrate is 36 ppm

ok its swimming now at the other side of the tank

 

Is the temperature correct?

 

How did you acclimate him?

 

First thing I would do is a (at least) 50% water change. Bring that 0.5 ammonia down and see if that helps. What temperature is the water? Did you temp match?
If you say, "I just got a baby oscar" and "you put him in" - how long has he been with you, and how did you acclimate him? More information would be very helpful

 

Its very normal for oscars to lay down and sulk for a while after being added to a tank. They are a very moody fish. I'd do a water change at some point in the near future though.

 

Hello. It is very common for Oscars to act that like. When I first got mine he laid on his side and I thought he was dying!!! I talked to some people and they said that is very common for them to do!!! Mine still does it!!! LOL!!! As long as the water and temperature are fine. He will be OK in a few days. They are so much fun to have!!! Keep us posted!!!

 

yep. I kept them for years and this behavior can be quite normal. Still worth checking everything but it inst necessarily a problem.

 

I did a water change on my 55 gallon about 3 1/2 hours ago, and my baby tiger oscar still won’t come out of hiding. They are really interactive fish, and was doing ok before, but idk what happened

 

Was he out and about before the water change? Also is this the first water change he has been through in that tank? Might just be a little freaked out.

 

hes alright now hes swimmin

 

This is something you'll have to get used to. They are moody. If you move decor around or add something new, they may very well sulk for a while. Same with doing a water change.

 

The soft acidic water might be messing the little guy up. Oscars do better in slightly alkaline water. Although most fish can adjust to varying water parameters, it often doesn't happen over night.

 

Hello!!! They hate change of any kind!!! It's so funny!!! My Oscar Big Boy is almost 6 years old and over 12 inches & he still sulks when I do water changes!!!! LOL!!! Hang in there!!!

Here he is during a water change!!!

 

Since no one else asked are there other fish in the 55 with your Oscar ?
If so who ?
Otherwise moody for sure ..
Dawn Michele he plays you for real ! What a ham ! He should know how lucky he is !

 

Since no one else asked are there other fish in the 55 with your Oscar ?
If so who ?
Otherwise moody for sure ..
Dawn Michele he plays you for real ! What a ham ! He should know how lucky he is !

HI Tom!!! Hope your doing well!! He sure does!!! LOL!!! Excellent question!! I totally forgot about other tank mates!!

 

Just a pleco last I heard. What kind I don't know.