Oscars

[HODDY]

HI just wanted to know some info on oscars,and will a rio 300 (65g) be ok for one? maybe with a plec aswell.Thanks,Ben. Need to know everything really.Thanks,Ben,

 

[shelaghfishface]

read this pinned topic, its excellent http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-Worl...otus-Ocellatus/

 

[HODDY]

thanks

would like to know some things you as a oscar keeper do to keep your oscar/s happy. thanks,

Ben.

 

[ox5477]

Keys to keeping an oscar healthy and happy (IMO of course):

• Good Nutrition (Krill, cichlid pellets, veggies)
• Plenty of water volume (to spread aggression through tankmates and keep soluble waste to a minimum)
• Interaction (sit and watch it and interact with it, and possibly give them a toy like a ping pong ball to keep them active and healthy)
• Choose tankmates wisely (some cichlids are aggressive and could stress the o, while others will get beat up by the o)

Short list but def some good things to try and keep any cichlid happy

 

[CentricOregon]

my parents used to have oscars but had to give them up due to there size. put something like a ping pong ball in the tank lol they like to hit it around the tank from time to time.

 

[england]

oscars are brilliant fish to keep as pets, i had mine around 2 years and what i think is
great fileration is paramount and keeping on top of waterchanges!!!!
feed a very good quality pellet like hiraki and treat them to feeder shrimp/sprats/treats now and then,,,,peas good for there pooing
tank mates need to be chosen carefully/to small=dinner to large and aggressive also bad,,,
nteract with them, mine know when i pick up the blue tub its food time and do laps of honour round the tank<mental
when i pick up the silver bucket they know its water change time and its time to move to rear of tank and brush up against dads arm for affection
keep and good healthy temp i find 26c perfect colder and mine go lathargic

 

[HODDY]

thanks guys now all i need to do is sell my other tanks and all my little bettas to be able to buy the tank dam.Lol.

Thanks for the help.

Ben.

 

[shelaghfishface]

hi Ben, you certainly wont regret getting oscars,its the best fishy move i have ever made, dont get me wrong i still love my guppies and platys, but the oscars are something else, listen to everything nelly has said as he taught me everything i know about them.
when mine see me come into the lounge in the morning they go mad, and gather at the feeding hatch, and they are the noisiest eaters ever lol, all i hear is water slopping about,its great, they love thier food, tho be carefull not to overfeed them ( i was feeding mine 4 times a day and couldnt understand why the water was always cloudy ) but like everyone else says lots of space and a real varied diet with cichlid pellet being the staple.they are terribly messy hence the need for excellent over board filtration,and regular water changes.
i did try mine with a ping pong ball, but they didnt bother with it, they get far more joy out of ripping out plants and dragging them by the roots round the tank
my oscars are in a tnk with 2 large clown loaches and a large common plec, they dont bother the loaches at all, but nothing gives them more pleasure then chasing the plec ( he dont care he just moves off and sucks somewhere else)
interaction is definatly a huge part of keeping oscars happy, mine hand feed( can be a bit worrying at times when they come at me like a bat out of hell ) but they havent drawn blood yet
i put a bean bag infront of the tank everynight to sit and watch them, and they will chase my finger up and down the glass, and when they have had anough, they just sit and stare at me ( waiting for my next trick)
they grow at an amzing rate, when i brought mine home just a couple of months ago they were as in my signature, now they are around the 7 inch mark, and very clever boyz.
nothing is ever too much bother for these fish, water changes are not a chore and believe me, they more than pay you back for being well looked after
just remeber the biggest tank you can get and the best filtration
keep us updated with how you get on

shelagh xxxx

 

[HODDY]

thanks, Now i really cant wait until i have enough money

thanks peeps.