FishProfiles.com Message Forums

OK, I have a Black Oscar with orange stripes (Black Tiger Oscar?). Anyway, I have had it for a couple of years (I think its about 4-5 years old) and it has always changed colors in its body. It would go from being a grey color to being a darker black where the sripes are more defined. Generally, it would remain grey most of the time but it would turn black occassionally. I always felt this was just normal knowing some animals can do this.

Anyway, yesterday I noticed something very odd. On the right side of the fish its head has turned a very dark black color. The color is darker than anything the fish has been in the past and it seems like it is staying dark. For example, the body of the fish has been the normal grey color but the right side of the head is black. Another odd feature is that the black actually forms a line down the axis of the head-so the right side is very black but the left side is normal.

Just some general information about this fish. It is about 10-12 inches long and 4-5 years old. It lives in a 55 gallon octagon tank and is the only fish in that tank. The tank is cleaned on a regular basis-it was last cleaned about 2 weeks ago.

If anyone could explain what is happening I would really appreciate it. It has never done this before and I have a feeling it is not a good thing.

Also, I took some pictures of this last night and posted them on my website so I could link them to this post. There is 3 photos on there (about 100KB each) if that will aid in someone helping me. I do have limitied bandwidth (its a free geocities website) so it may go down periodically depending on how many people click on the link. If that is the case, check back in about an hour-I get so much bandwidth per day and it is in 1 hour allotments.

http://www.geocities.com/richieb31619/oscar.html

Once again, if anyone can help I would really appreciate it. Thanks again.

i cant answer the question for ya sorry but i gotta tell ya thats the oddest thing ive ever seen. he looks like an oreo cookie head on lol.

i do know oscars change colors to blend in envirments...mood changes... and even show agression. ive never seen one split coloring in half like this though.

if he doesnt seem lethargic or skittish i wouldnt worry TO much about it. i would keep askign around and researching it but this could just be a mood swing or trying to blend in with something he sees.

He has always changed color throughout his body during the time I have had him-but this seems to be stuck (plus the color change in his head was always mininal). It is the oddest fish thing I have ever seen.

But, he seems to be acting pretty normal dispite the color thing.

OMG!! it's micheal jackson in a fish!!!!!


lol

I've never seen that much color change, mine do go from a grayish to solid black and orange.

Maybe try http://www.oscarfish.com you might get a faster answer there.

Angel Eel

keep us updated!
EDIT:And yes it is a tiger oscar

Last edited by angeleel at 02-Apr-2005 14:43

OK, I have posted this over there as well. Thanks.