My oscars are acting really weird,should i be worried?? ?

Question

yesterdya i bought 2 ,5inch albino tiger oscars

i have 2 tanks a 30 gallons and 90 gallons

in a 30 gallons i have 2 breeding pairs of convict cichlids

and in 90 i have the oscars and 2 plecos and i will put the convicts in in about a month or 2

but im worried a bit about the oscars they are always hidding behind the rocks behind the plants

is it normal ?? or they just need more time for acclimation/get comfortable in the new surroundings ??

Answer 1

Well, I'll agree that the most likely thing is acclimation.  Temperature is just one aspect of acclimation, but water chemistry is also another.  Have you made sure your waters are in proper settings for South American types?  You might find your PH or hardness to be slightly higher then they prefer, and are showing a reaction to that.

I really dislike Oscars being labeled as monsters and killers.  They aren't even close to that.  I've kept Oscars last year, before shifting over to Africans, and I can tell you, it's anecdotal and misinformation to say as such.  To understand how an Oscar really is, one needs to understand that they are an advantageous eater.  It's just how they are to pursue smaller fish they can fit in their mouth.  They however are not a true predator that stalks fish only, since they will adapt to other food sources.

Keeping your Oscar away from feeder fish is a great way to keep it from pursuing other fish as food.  I've found many answerers do the same thing with Arowana.  Arowana do not pursue other fish naturally.  They need to be taught to do so.  Oscars however it is more natural for them to do it.  If you keep them on a diet of pellets and other high protein foods such as blood worms and brine shrimp, you increase your odds they might not go after community fish.  I've kept community fish with my Oscars even at 10 inches in size, and had good results doing so.

Check on your water chemistry for the time being, add in some more enclosed decor and rocks.  This might make them feel more secure.  I assure you as well, your convicts are in no danger of being eaten.  This also shows lack of understanding Convicts too.  Convicts, especially breeding pairs are quite nasty and I'm willing to bet a years pay, that Oscar won't mess with them come breeding time.

Answer 2

it will take several weeks for them to become truly acclimatised in their new tank. just give them time.

Answer 3

Oscars are very intelligent fish so until they learn to recognize you and know that you feed and won't hurt them, they will be frightened and act shy.  Albino oscars have poorer eyesight than normal eyed oscars and will need even more time to learn to trust you.  Eventually they will become very attached to you and develop very interesting pet behaviors.  Convict cichlids may be smaller than oscars but they will have no problem holding their own.  Infact, I would be more concerned about the convicts attacking the oscars if they are a breeding pair.  Convicts will do anything to protect their babies and your oscars may end up sitting in the top corner of your 90 gallon tank while the convicts take over the rest of it.  

Answer 4

They're fussy, they'll eventually get used to the surroundings.

A story.

Long ago when I first kept Oscars I had a 70 gallon in the house, long story short the oscars had to be moved into the fish house that i had in the garage.  

Once there they like yours hid away and stopped feeding, it really didn't concern me until a week had passed and they refused to eat, so I popped them in the bucket and took them back into the house, they ate solidly for about 2 days then stopped again. A week passes and still they refused to eat, so they went back in the bucket and out into the 100 gallon in the garage. They ate like horses for two days and stopped, after about the 5th trip, I solved the problem I put them in the garage and every two days put them in a bucket walked in the front door and out the back and back into the garage. Pair of them enjoyed the trip in a bucket.

They both lived for about 12yrs lots of broods and there own bucket.

Answer 5

They have to get use to their surroundings let them be. Also test your water and see if you ammonia and nitrates are high.

Answer 6

1, they need more time to get comfortable and

2.The tank is already fully stocked, the convicts will be happy in the 30, if you put them in with the oscars they will be lunchmean for these monster fish. Just letting you know.