vibrating/shivering Oscar?!?!?

[Erich]

last night after a water change, I notice something funny(bad??) happened for one of my oscar.

It is shivering...it isn't a big movement, but rather the whole fish is like vibrating...its looks very abnormal..its not regular movement...literally vibrating...like some toys :lol: (but i am serious)

Is my oscar ok??what happened? It happened 2-3 times, lasted about 3 second each time...

[Rex Karr]

Was he just swimming along and then suddenly had a seizure or something? Or is it possible that he was displaying to another oscsar (or other cichlid)?

Rex

[Erich]

Rex Karr, I think the term "seizure" that you used, described it perfectly. Thats what I was thinking too when I first saw it happen.
No, its more like floating or cursing very very slowly..slow enough for me to take a very good look at him...
Last night..the other oscar was shivering too...

I don't think they are displaying to each other..becuz sometimes they aren't even facing each other when it happen. (I only have 2 oscars in a 90g tank, they were together since 2 inches..now they are 7-8inches)

This really bothers me, becuz this vibrating movement looks really really abnormal...its the whole fish too...the head and tail is most obvious..
It lasted about 2-3 seconds...
If anyone knows, pls give me some advice....
I will try to do more research on the net...

[Erich]

the range of vibration is small, i have to stare at him closely to see it...
its not any big movements u can see away from the tank...

[Scotty]

Erich- There is also a possibility that your Oscar was unhappy with the size/speed/temp/chemisty of your water change. I had a similar reaction once when I accidentally knocked the faucet over to ice cold while my Python was refilling a tank. Try refilling more slowly and matching the temps a little closer (if you're not already). If you're using a hose, keep the end over the water so it splashes down. This will help liberate some of the high levels of CO2 that will be in the "fresh out of the tap" water. Hope this helps.....Scott 8)

[Erich]

thanks Scott..
I did have a 25% water change 2 days ago...
I am hoping thats the case....so I just have to be more careful next time..

[satansqueen]

:o this "siezure" you desribed is probably due to the amount of water you changed, oscars are very sensitive to any change in their environment, so watch for reaction to any change

Oscars should have frequent smaller water changes rather than monthly large ones. Try 10% every week, vaccuming the gravel during this to avoid heavy waste buildup