Oscars

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Oscars

Size
Large
Group
Freshwater
Temperament
Aggressive
Aquarium Size
Very large (100+ gal)
Swimming Region
Middle
Fish Water Condition
Difficulty Of Care
Weekly care
Top Breed
9
Suitable Tank Mates
Large species of Catfish, Pacu, large species of South American Cichlids
ADVERTISEMENT

General description

Oscar fish are one of the most popular species of freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby today. They are a highly intelligent species of fish and often display highly individual personalities, making them a favorite among many aquarists. They are characterized by their thick, rectangular shaped bodies and comparatively large heads. Oscars are a large species of fish and can easily reach 18 inches in length. They are also highly territorial as adults and should ideally be raised by more experienced aquarists.

Oscar fish are one of the most popular species of freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby today.

Origins

Oscars originate in the Amazon River basin in South America.

Color

The primary colorations that Oscars occur in are black, brown, orange and red. Albino varieties have also been bred selectively over the years.

Maintenance and care

ADVERTISEMENT

Although Oscars are often sold as young specimens of 2 inches or less, they can quickly outgrow most medium sized aquariums. They are also active swimmers and require aquariums with large open swimming space. Therefore it is important to house them in fairly large aquariums of 100 gallons or more. Oscars are also a very destructive species of fish and will uproot and destroy any plant life in the aquarium in a matter of hours. They are also fond of rearranging rocks and other aquarium decorations. This should be taken into account when decorating the aquarium.

Although the level of aggression can differ from individual to individual, Oscars are generally regarded as an aggressive and highly territorial species. They will often cordon off a specific area of the tank as their own territory and vehemently guard it against other fish regardless of species. Oscars are also aggressive fighters and will sometimes lock jaws and engage in long, drawn out wrestling matches to establish dominance. They are also highly predatory and will readily attack and devour smaller species of fish that they can fit in their mouths. They sometimes also attack larger, less aggressive species of fish like angelfish. For this reason they are best housed with large, moderately aggressive South American cichlids, large species of catfish or pacu.

Oscars produce a significant amount of waste and require aquariums with very strong filtration systems to prevent diseases caused by poor water quality.

Although Oscars are often sold as young specimens of 2 inches or less, they can quickly outgrow most medium sized aquariums.

Feeding

Oscars are carnivores and can be fed on a diet of fish, worms, shellfish, shrimp and occasional servings of beef heart. They will also accept most meat-based pellet foods.

Breeding

Oscars generally do not display obvious signs of sexual dimorphism and are often very difficult to sex. The best way to obtain a breeding pair is to raise 6 or more juveniles in a large aquarium and to let a pair form naturally. Once a breeding pair is formed, they will try to guard an extremely large territory in the aquarium and can sometimes even kill off most of their tank mates. Oscars should be provided with large, flat surfaces to lay their eggs on. Once the eggs are laid, both parents guard the spawn zealously. They also provide parental care for the fry after they are free swimming.

Aquarium varieties

Zebra Oscar, Tiger Oscar, Red Oscar, Albino Oscar, Veiltail Oscar, etc.

Photo credit: Ashish Ghosh/Wikimedia

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Adoptable Dog Of Week – Lisa

Sugar and spice and everything nice – that’s what our Adoptable Dog of the Week is made from. Meet Lisa, an adult Terrier mix from Rochester, New…

Shepherd Pit

The Shepherd Pit is a unique crossbreed –a German Shepherd Pitbull mix that combines two really different breeds. It is a match you’d never think was possible, but the Shepherd Pit is clear proof that some unexpected combos really work!

Best Vacuum Cleaners for Pet Hair

Vacuum cleaners for pet hair are specially designed to tackle cat and dog hair embedded in carpets, gathered in tufts on floors, or stuck to your furniture.

Velveteen Lop

The Velveteen Lop is a newer rabbit breed that was actually named after the famous rabbit in The Velveteen Rabbit, a children''s story by Margery Williams.

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Dusty

Our Upside Down Dog of the Week for Upsidedowndogs.com proves that it certainly is a dog’s life. Meet Dusty, a 7-year-old male Golden Retriever from Ph…

Cool Tips to Beat the Heat on Summer Hikes With Your Dog

Summer is fleeting, which is why you want to make the most of it with your dog. If you''re hiking, keep these tips in mind to keep your dog safe.

Guppy

One of the most commonly available species of freshwater aquarium fish, the guppy is a long favorite amongst aquarium enthusiasts worldwide.

Miniature Aussiedoodle

The adorable Miniature Aussiedoodle combines the hypo-allergenic Miniature Poodle with the play Miniature Australian Shepherd.

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Alex

Say “Cheese!” Meet Alex, our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Alex is a 5-year-old male Bullmastiff from Saltdal, Norway. Her…

Keep Your Distance While Keeping The Neighborhood Clean With PickApoo

It''s a dirty job, but as a responsible pet parent, you need to scoop that poop. You can keep your distance with a pooper scooper you didn''t know you needed.

Here’s What You Should Know About Feline Pica

There''s nothing wrong if your cat likes to chew on some grass, but if she''s been eating some weird stuff, she may have Feline Pica.

Pom-Chi

The Pom-Chi is a sweet and affectionate little dog that bonds strong and fast with his family. He is loyal and has no concept that he is so tiny.

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Freddie

Meet Freddie, our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Freddie is a 10-year-old male Springer Spaniel from West Midlands, UK. Here’s wh…

Best Dog Kennel Covers

Dog kennel covers make sure that your pet is protected from the elements in the time he spends outside- a must-have acessory for all outdoor kennels.

Jarkie

The Jarkie is a sweet, sassy pooch with a lot of energy. This designer dog is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Japanese Chin.