Twitching Oscar

[Fuller1981]

Hey guys/girls
My first post on Oscar spot however seeing the wealth of knowledge out there I was wondering if anyone can help with a peculiar problem I've noticed today. My Oscar seems to twitch (seems as if his tail end drops to the bottom of tank in a jerking motion) and he cannot get to the surface at feeding time when he normally is the first there. I have not introduced any new tanks mates for at least 3 months. I can see no obvious signs of damage to him it almost seems like a nervous system problem :/. I guess my post may be a little premature as it has only been 3 hours since I have seen this behaviour but It does not look normal at all or at all like a cichlid territorial display. His tank details are as follows:

Tank Size: 1000 ltr / 264 Gal
Setup time: 1 year
How Many Fish: 7
Type of fish: Syspillum, 2x Jack Dempsey, Texas, Gibby Sailfin, Golden Pleco (L-unknown), Oscar
Fish Size: all smaller then Oscar with the exception of the Syspillum
Filtration: Fluval Fx5

Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 80ppm <--- may be the problem?
Ph: 7.2
Temp: not sure as digital thermo not working but I live near the equator so it has never been a problem even in winter
Recent changes: none
Food: combo of floating and sinking pellet, spiru wafer, peas & Bloodworms on occasion x2 daily (enough to eat in 5 mins)
Last water change: 1 week ago. 25%

On a side note none of the other fish display any sign of distress and cannot see any sign of Ick, I may try epsom salt however wanted to get a little feedback first
Thanks in advance
Andrew

[Gerry]

I would do a large water change to get that nitrate down.

Your also under filtered with just 1 fx5 (Pump performance 2,300 litres per hour (3,500 lph - without load)) as we recommend tank volume x 5 with canister filtration so your 1000litre tank requires 5000litre filtration. This will be why you have ammonia readings.

How often do you change your water and by how much normally.

Tail twitching in Oscars is normal, not being able to get up for food is not though, so get the water right first and we can take it from there.

[Fuller1981]

Thanks for the prompt reply Gerry, I will pick up a second Fx5 or other large filter asap to assist with 5000ltr figure. Currently I'm doing 25% change once a week should I step this up/down? I have been watching him pretty intently for the last few hours and it almost seems his body is not doing what he is asking of it. He trys to float up for the floating pellet, gets himself awkwardly into position underneath and floats into the food without opening his mouth .. Its quite depressing to watch and seemingly has happened over night. I wonder if he may have been startled last night and swam into something hard enough to make him go a little . I'll get the water under control and let you know how it’s progressing.

[Gerry]

Up the changes to 50% since you have high Nitrates

If its an injury good water is the main thing first and foremost

[callen]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
I see a few things...

Ammonia: 0.25 ppm

This needs to be 0. So important not to have any level of ammonia.

Nitrate: 80ppm <--- may be the problem?

As Gerry stated water changes will help bring this down. For your size tank and that many fish would do 60-70% water changes weekly.

I will pick up a second Fx5 or other large filter asap to assist with 5000ltr figure.

Always good to have more filtration

Your on the right track and with a larger water changes your fish should be fine.

Posted same time as Gerry.

[callen]

Rereading your last post... Does he look bloated? Do you have a hospital tank?

[TimP]

These guys have you covered, so I'll just say welcome and that any problems you may have, these folks on here will be able to help you get it under control. Best of luck with your O!

[OinKY]

Definitely get the water quality under control.

I'd ask what type of O (Tiger,Red,Lutino)? Certain injuries can be hid by the coloration of the O..Lutinos are hard to see "bump" injuries to head for example.
I'd also give it a good look over immediately from above looking for distention in the sides that may not be noticeable when viewing from the side.

[Fuller1981]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I purchased a second FX5 to pick up the filtration and gave it a head start with some media from existing filter. After a 75% then 25% water change 2 days later I have Nitrates under control and 0 ammonia readings (Amazing how fast it crept up). Sadly my lutino has passed away about an hour ago, after careful examination I have noticed a small chip in one of the back lids of the tank and a slightly swollen side on the oscar, I'm thinking he may have damaged his swim bladder at some point. His swimming was very awkward and he seemed to float near the surface (not on his side) and could not eat. If he was not showing any signs of getting better tonight I was going to send him to sleep in some clove oil and a small tank to stop him suffering. I would love to get another O but fear my tank may be a little too rough when the others get to full adult, plus I don't want to overload.

[JohnL]

Sorry to hear you lost him that's a shame.

[k0y0te]

sorry to hear you lost him

[Gerry]

Sorry to hear you lost him.

Good move with the filter and water changes and glad to hear the waters back in check

[Blake]

I would love to get another O but fear my tank may be a little too rough when the others get to full adult, plus I don't want to overload.

Would definitely be hard unless you had an extra tank to grow a juvenile O out, or unless you could find a decent sized one that could hold his own. I wouldn't think you have to worry about overstocking or anything if you did want to add another O. How large are the other fish?

[TimP]

Sorry that you lost your O. Glad to hear your water is back in check though!

[callen]

Sorry for your loss. It could have been the swim bladder but with the popeye I'm thinking more of a kidney infection and the swellling effecting the swim bladder. Hard to really tell and the only way to be sure would be doing a necropsy.