Abandoned Oscar needs help

[lyn]

I was given several small fish found in an abandoned house. Most were small koi (?) plus a beautiful fantail and this third one I discovered was an Oscar. All the fish had hemorrhagic septicemia & despite my attempts at antibacterial treatment in a hastily rigged hospital tank, all died except for the fantail & the Oscar.

(I only do pond fish plus a medium size tank aquarium fish; mostly fantails of various types, shebunkins, platys, neons, etc. I am a limited-knowledge fish person. I have now had to resort to purchasing 'fish health' books!)

The fantail seems cured & is happily adjusting to the pond. Oscar is still in the 'hospital' tank, has survived now for about 10 days -- I've been treating him for 'popeye' with antibiotics; treatment time has ended & he's been returned to a plain, unoccupied tank. I have no idea how to care for him, tho -- books on the subject all give differing advice.

I think he must be a baby -- 2-3", velvety gray, very shy but also territorial. If he eats, I don't see him doing it. Bought some cichlid flakes to tempt him. He seems to be getting used to my presence & comes out more often to swim, but often I notice him lying on his side in the corner, doing nothing. (He was quite lively before I removed the fantail.)

Does he need a 'playmate' to challenge him a bit & make him swim around more? How big is he going to get? What does an Oscar eat anyway? Do I have to buy an 85-gallon tank to accommodate him? Does he need a mate? What happens if I just toss another Oscar in there -- is he going to go with the program? Maybe a different fish from the Cichlid family?

There seem to be Oscar fan clubs all over the internet, so I'm guessing this is a 'prized' fish. It's too bad he landed in my care, but it beats his prior living conditions. I'm just asking what I should do here: one large, established indoor tank, one large established pond are about my limit & I'm not sure I want to start up my own 'Oscar club.' On the other hand, I can't just let the little guy go untended; he is kinda cute, big eyeballs & all.

Please! Anybody who cares for/loves/knows about Oscars take pity on us & offer along any advice you care to give!

[hopo05]

ya sound in love lol get him a mate about same size or abit small not too small he should eat live food my lads found out that pellets just dont go down well and tend to go un digested and foul the water try a earth worm cut in two or live bloodworms anything that moves should get him in the mood watch him as he goesfor it very funny they seam to stalk there prey like cheshire cat