WTB Large Red Oscar

[sproett]

Has anyone seen a nice looking red oscar, 6 inches or large anywhere (for a good price)?  I'm looking for one that is a nice red or orange color, not a faded orange one.  My husband really wants one for our empty 55 gallon and since he's taking an interest in my tanks I'm going to try to find him one.  
Thanks everyone!

[Hanson77]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

You should try calling some of the LFS's and see if anyone has traded one in on something smaller.  That's probably where you will find your best deal on something like that.  Or check Craigslist, you may have some luck there.

[sproett]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

I know I've seen some large oscars at Fish Ranch II but I haven't been there in a few weeks.  I saw a medium/large one at the Petco off Weslayan but that was a few weeks ago too.  Maybe I'll take a trip down there today.

[sproett]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

I found one today!  Same one I'd been admiring for some time, guess it was meant to be.  He's already cruising his new tank.  My daughter is very impressed.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

Build it and they will come..............................

[sproett]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

so true

[Mzungu]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

Great! Where did you end up getting him? (Have any pictures??)

[sproett]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

I found him at Petco off Weslayan.  He came in several months ago and never sold.  He has pretty nice markings but he does have some sort of white fungus on his pectoral fins.  
pH 7.6
Ammonia/Nitrites 0
Nitrates 5
Temp 82
Other than regular water changes, should I do anything else to clear up the fungus?  Add salt?  Wait it out?
This fish is hilarious, it was like photographing a model.  He swam around the tank posing.  Notice the white stuff on his pectoral fin.  The white marks on his side is actually stuff on my glass.  Need to get the Windex out!  Click the pics to enlarge them.

[Zulaab]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

Sproett,

Please take a look at my Oscars in my Gallery.  If you notice it looks like mine and yours have the same white lines on the fins.  This is not fungus, this is "your fish is getting bigger growth spurt".  I believe the fins are growing and the coloration come in a while after the growth on these fish.
I do notice he/she has a few cuts and abrasions on the skin.   (because I had the same problem) look inside your tank and make sure that there are no object in the tank he/she can get cut on... I had to remove decorations so mine could not get cut, because when the swim, they simply forget that they are not always in open water.  One other thing that I have noticed with my oscars.. give them a cave where they can rest at night.   Mine go into a cave when the lights go out but never hides during the day.. always out and showing off :)

Mine lives for now in a 58G tank, but sometime this winter or spring I am going to upgrade the 58G SA tank to a 125 6ft tank so they have more space to roam in   :)   I CANNOT WAIT !!!!   I love my oscars, they are by far the most intelligent fish I have :)

http://houstonfishbox.com/modules.php?name=gallery2&g2_itemId=5135

[Hanson77]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

Zulaab...do we need to get you some bumper stickers that read, "MY OSCAR IS SMARTER THAN YOUR HONOR STUDENT".....LOL!!!!!

[sproett]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

Zulaab-
I looked at your gallery but I'm not sure it's the same thing.  I just took close up shots of his fins, check them out and see what you think.  I will get a cave for him, that sounds nice.  His layout is pretty simple and open, I'm attaching a picture of it.  
Oscars are by far my favorite fish.  This little guy has more personality than my other one.  She's more shy but she's also smaller.  

[Zulaab]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

Zulaab...do we need to get you some bumper stickers that read, "MY OSCAR IS SMARTER THAN YOUR HONOR STUDENT".....LOL!!!!!

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROFL  thank you for this morning laughter :)

[Zulaab]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

Sproett,

I looked at your picture and I see a few things you need to work on ASAP.
I dont think your fish has fungus, but I notice that the Petco didnt do a good job at feeding it.   Its showing the starts of HLLE/HITH.  

Please asap, go get some frozen bloodworms, and check and see if you have some squash, peas, or other greens it might eat..  Dont feed it a lot greens but you want some good solid vitamins into the fish.   Water quality needs to be strictly checked now.  You need to do a check EVERY 3 days and if they are out of wack ie Nitrates goes over 20 then do a water change.

If you dont see improvement with the pitting in a week go and get some Melafix and start dosing your tank with it.  It will help the Oscar regrowing back the loss.   Its diet is going to be very important.

[Mzungu]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

I looked at your picture and I see a few things you need to work on ASAP.
I dont think your fish has fungus, but I notice that the Petco didnt do a good job at feeding it.   Its showing the starts of HLLE/HITH.  

I also noticed that, although he is a great looking fish!

I wasn't aware that diet could be a contributing factor of HITH, that's interesting. I always thought it was water quality. I've also heard that the pitting doesn't grow back necessarily, but stops getting bigger. But then again, I've never had the opportunity to have an oscar of my own! So, I'm nowhere near an expert.

I think your water quality is great, keep it up and he'll be happy. A lot of the times I see a lot of problems at such stores that I attribute to bad water quality, and since he had been there a while, that's probably the case. I'm glad he has a good home now!  :)

[sproett]

Re: WTB Large Red Oscar

I think what you're seeing is sensory pits.  I've been reading up on sensory pits and HITH on oscar forums and that is what it sounds like to me.  They are more noticeable when the oscars are 5-8".  As a precaution (for anything he might have) I set the temp to 82 degrees and put a bubble wall in.  I feed my oscars all the stuff you mentioned, plus frozen brine shrimp and quarantined and well fed feeders.  I'm currently breeding some fish and feeding the culls to them.  I know feeding live is controversial but I believe it gives them something to do and is okay in moderation.  I'm also doing water changes often, trying to keep nitrates below 10ppm.  I still think something is wrong with his fins but I'm hoping all the stuff I'm doing will make it go away.  
I've got pictures posted on oscarfish.com to see what they think, just in case.