Observation (Oscar)

[Master Zero]

I was just sitting there in font of my tank and just observing them, looking for any signs of bulling or violence. I also added some wonderfully plants, and was checking up on them too. I did not find anything, but what I found (or observed) left me amazed and worried at the same time. My Oscar was running around following me thinking that it was lunch time, after a while I introduced a new baby to the tank. The Oscar was afraid of the net so he/she want and rested on the gravel. The baby soon followed. I had the net close by just in case the Oscar (which was at lest 4.5 - 5 times bigger than the baby), the convict, or the Piranhas tried anything. All was peacefully; I than sat up close to the tank watching both of them resting on the gravel, one right next to the other. That is when I notice that My Oscar (the biggest one) was breathing through one gill, I almost panic, but I was struck by a simple idea. Why not force the Oscar to more by brining the net closer to it. It work, and the Oscar slowly got up and moved away from the net. It started breathing through both gills again the minute it got up.

I have search the internet looking for anyone reporting the same thing, but no one has. Has anyone here observed the same thing? My theory is that, Oscars do this so that they can conserver energy, just in case they’ll have to make a quick getaway or stand there and fight; or they might just be conserving energy. But I’ am not sure, I don’t think he/she is sick, it just doesn’t explain it. It can’t be something in the water; I just did a water change. Guess I’ll keep observing for now.

Thanks for reading, and for any information!

[betaboi]

My idea:
Since it was afraid of the net maybe it stopped moving the gill that was on the net side. This was done so he isn't moving as much and is harder to notice (less movement, less distracting). Almost like a camoflauge thing...

Unless it wasn't the gill that the net was on...was it? Try it again and see what happens.

[Master Zero]

Yes, the gill that was below the net was the one that stopped moving. I have been trying for a while to see if I could get the Oscar to do it again, but it hasn’t done it since. Your idea was a every interesting one, but I guess it can’t be, because the Oscar didn’t do it every time the net came close; but it’s still a possibility.