Adrena
- #1
I recently, 2 weeks ago, was gifted a beautiful Tiger Oscar. I was in search of one to put with my rescued Red Oscar (75 gal, for the time being, anticipating a move to a 125 gal.). I have been selective about taking one in due to size differences. The rescued Red Oscar, is at least 12 in. In length, so obviously I needed a larger Oscar as a tank mate.
I was contacted by someone through a local FB Aquarium forum offering a Tiger Oscar (photo was included, but it difficult to tell size). I was told this fish was 1-2 inches in length. I also currently have a separate 125 gal with other small cichlids in the size group, so I said I'd take him.
Fast forward a few weeks, I meet up with the guy and turns out the T.O. is more like 4.5 inches. Too big to put in with my 125 gal of smaller cichlids. I had him in a fully cycled quarantine tank, and by the next morning the ammonia levels spiked dangerously high, so I had to move him. I put him in the 125 with the smaller cichlids for about a day, and he was tormenting everyone, so I made the decision to just go for it with the Red Oscar. And put them together along with 2 other cichlids the guy gave me. (I really wanted the Oscar most)
Well, he has been doing what appeared to be well in the tank, he had hiding spots, and I never saw the R.O. acting aggressive towards him.
I woke up yesterday, and he looked like the photos posted below. At first I thought one of the larger cichlids in the tank bullied him, but upon looking at him closer, I thought the R.O. tried to eat him. He is missing scales over most of his body, and his tail and fins look tattered.I re-tested the water in the quarantine tank, as it has been set up the whole time, and this time parameters were good. I moved him to it, and began a course of Metroplex (water treatment) and aquarium salt. My questions are:
1. Should I also add vitamin C to help with healing?
2. Is there anything else I should or should not be doing to help him heal?
He is my favorite, I feel so bad for him.
Water parameters:
Nitrate: 20 PPM
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: .25
Ph: 6.5
Gh: 58
Temp: 78 (well trying to get it to 78, just added a second heater)
I was contacted by someone through a local FB Aquarium forum offering a Tiger Oscar (photo was included, but it difficult to tell size). I was told this fish was 1-2 inches in length. I also currently have a separate 125 gal with other small cichlids in the size group, so I said I'd take him.
Fast forward a few weeks, I meet up with the guy and turns out the T.O. is more like 4.5 inches. Too big to put in with my 125 gal of smaller cichlids. I had him in a fully cycled quarantine tank, and by the next morning the ammonia levels spiked dangerously high, so I had to move him. I put him in the 125 with the smaller cichlids for about a day, and he was tormenting everyone, so I made the decision to just go for it with the Red Oscar. And put them together along with 2 other cichlids the guy gave me. (I really wanted the Oscar most)
Well, he has been doing what appeared to be well in the tank, he had hiding spots, and I never saw the R.O. acting aggressive towards him.
I woke up yesterday, and he looked like the photos posted below. At first I thought one of the larger cichlids in the tank bullied him, but upon looking at him closer, I thought the R.O. tried to eat him. He is missing scales over most of his body, and his tail and fins look tattered.I re-tested the water in the quarantine tank, as it has been set up the whole time, and this time parameters were good. I moved him to it, and began a course of Metroplex (water treatment) and aquarium salt. My questions are:
1. Should I also add vitamin C to help with healing?
2. Is there anything else I should or should not be doing to help him heal?
He is my favorite, I feel so bad for him.
Water parameters:
Nitrate: 20 PPM
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: .25
Ph: 6.5
Gh: 58
Temp: 78 (well trying to get it to 78, just added a second heater)