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 strange oscar behavior
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| Author | Topic: strange oscar behavior |
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bethycats New Member  Posts: 3 |
posted 02-18-2004 09:36 PM
 
My tiger oscar is about 1 year old. He has been behaving strangely lately. When I walk near my tank, he swims towards me with his mouth WIDE open and gills expanded, and the best I can describe it is that his tail seems to "vibrate". It seems more like a spasm, totally different motion than a normal swimming tail fin waving back and forth type motion. I feed him twice a day, Wardley "shrimp pellets formula" in the morning, and Wardley "cichlid floating pellets"in the evening. He may also eat some other flakes, etc. that I put in for the other fish. But, I don't think it has to do with hunger, because he opens and closes his mouth rapidly, while swimming up and down, to beg for food. This odd behavior doesn't seem to be linked to anything else, and he swims very slowly, along the bottom of the tank, with his mouth open. Is it possible to get something stuck in his gills, and this may be a fish "gag" of some sort? Also, I have seen him do this right before spitting out a piece of gravel, but I don't know if the two actions were related. Have any other Oscar owners seen anything like this? The tail vibrating type motion made me think of something to do with mating, but I only have one Oscar. (I just call it a "he" I don't actually know its a boy) Could this behavior have something to do with eggs, or mating possibly? Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated, I tried to get a pic of the mouth thing, but no luck. If he does it in the future, I will try to take one. IP: Logged |
Hooben Moderator Posts: 199 |
posted 02-19-2004 02:56 AM
The vibrating thing in cichlids is related to mating and is a threat display. The fish will also move its body to an almost vertical position sometimes to show the other aggressor who is boss. Your fish could also be doing this if it is alone and may see you as a threat. [This message has been edited by Hooben (edited 02-19-2004).] IP: Logged |
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t_chelle16 Member  Posts: 501 |
posted 02-19-2004 09:04 AM
It sounds like he's attacking his reflection. And the tail shaking is a sign of aggression or annoyance (I get it a lot when I clean the tank). Lip locking and very mild aggresson (generally no damage done) are signs of mating - testing potential mate's strength. But since you only have the one oscar, he's probably just getting mad at his reflection. And digging is also very common for oscars & other cichlids. And I don't think fish can choke, or if they can, it's very difficult. Basically, it's all pretty normal and I wouldn't worry too much. -Chelle IP: Logged |
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bethycats New Member Posts: 3 |
posted 02-20-2004 01:33 PM
Thanks for the info, i never even thought about his reflection. i figured it was his way of saying he wants a bigger tank (which I am working on) I am glad it is not something for me to really worry about. In someone else's post I read about Oscars seeming to change color. Mine does that, or seems to, sometimes his colors get brighter or duller, and seem a bit faded. Do you guys think that is normal too? IP: Logged |
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Hooben Moderator Posts: 199 |
posted 02-20-2004 04:22 PM
The changing colors is definately normal for oscars and severums. Mine remind people of mood rings and have different colors that match their emotions. Don't worry! IP: Logged |
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t_chelle16 Member Posts: 501 |
posted 02-20-2004 08:42 PM
Yup, color changing is pretty common. 2 pics of the same fish: -Chelle IP: Logged |
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