Oscar Fish Care Guide

Oscar Fish Care Guide

The Oscar fish, scientifically known as Astronotus Ocellatus or commonly known as River Dog or Dog Fish, is one of the largest South American cichlids reaching approximately 12 inches in length and is a fascinating fish to keep as a pet. Oscars are very docile fish in relation to their owner, but you have to be very careful around your tank mates.

They are not very difficult to care for, so many aquarists who can afford a large tank and love cichlids start by keeping Oscars.

tank requirements

First of all, being so large, Oscars will need a very large tank, 125 gallons minimum for one fish or a pair. Like all fish, the water must be very clean, so you must use a very powerful filter, since fish that big produce a lot of waste.

Oscars are tropical fish, which means they like their water to be between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit and do well in slightly acidic water with a pH between 6.5 and 7.2.

They prefer weak water movement, but you should use at least one air stone, as their natural river environment provides plenty of oxygen through faster water movement.

To make them feel more at home, about 75% of the tank should provide hiding places. Use heavier decorations to keep them from shifting, but be careful to choose ones without sharp edges that could damage your Oscars.

Feeding your Oscars

In the wild, Oscar fish eat mainly meaty foods such as smaller fish, insects, or worms, but they also supplement their diet with plant matter and berries that fall into the water.

In your home tank, you can choose to feed it special processed food for carnivorous cichlids and also give them occasional treats like frozen food, bugs, or mealworms.

Feeder fish such as guppies or minnows are also a good treat to improve the Oscars' hunting ability and prevent boredom, but be aware that newly introduced fish may carry infections or parasites, so be sure to quarantine them before offering them to your cichlids.

Only feed your Oscars once a day, the amount of food they would consume in 2 minutes. Leftovers affect water quality and could make fish sick.

Diseases

The main disease that affects the Oscar cichlid is commonly known as hole-in-the-head disease, which results in cavities on the face and head. It is caused by a lack of specific nutrients, such as vitamin D, vitamin C, phosphorous and/or calcium.

This disease can also be caused by a poor or unvaried diet, as well as filtration through a large number of chemicals such as activated carbon.

Other than this disease, Oscar fish are very hardy and rarely get sick if they are kept in good condition, but you should always monitor them for bacterial or fungal infections as well as parasites.

When detected early, any disease or infection can be treated more quickly and efficiently.

Always remember to quarantine anything you bring into your tank, from new tank mates to plants and other decorations, as they can bring infections or parasites.

Behaviour

The Oscar fish is also known for its ability to bond with its owner and interact.Many owners report that their Oscars will even eat out of their hand or wait to be "petted." "In addition, they are curious and like to see what is going on in the room and can even be seen begging for food.

They like to rearrange their tank, so don't try too hard to decorate in a specific style, as once they get into the tank, they dig up the plants and move the decorations around to suit their own taste.

tank mates

In the tank, Oscars will be best alone or in a pair. Avoid keeping more of them as they can become territorial and aggressive towards each other. Being predators it is not recommended to keep smaller fish in the same tank as the Oscars will hunt them down.

Instead, you can keep larger fish like Jack Dempsey, Arowanas, Black Pacus, and large Plecostomus, but you must have a very large tank (approximately 200 gallons minimum) to allow plenty of room to swim.

Even if you plan to keep your Oscars together with other fish of the same size, make sure their tank mates are neither too aggressive nor too passive. Aggressive fish will hunt the Oscars and peaceful fish will be hunted by the Oscars.

Raise your Oscars

It is easy to breed Oscars in captivity, although they are quite difficult to have sex with. When you see a breeding pair, offer them a breeding tank of at least 100 gallons to provide plenty of room to swim.The water needs to be hotter (between 78 and 86 degrees) and, as long as it's very clean, it can be soft or hard.

The female lays her eggs on smooth stones, and both parents raise the fry together. There is no such thing as eating eggs or frying for the Oscar.If you like fish with big personalities, it's time to add some Oscars to your tank, but remember to provide a very large tank for them to be comfortable with.Going by your Oscar's requirements and needs, you should be good friends for over a decade.