by Megan As Well

Created on: September 21, 2008

When it comes to aquarium fish, the Oscar is a giant. Averaging about ten inches long, Oscars require tanks that hold a minimum of fifty gallons of water. Thankfully they are not jumpers, but the aim is still to keep them in the largest tank possible. Some owners refuse to keep their Oscars in anything smaller than a 150-gallon tank.

Oscars do best when left alone, but it is not uncommon to see a pair cohabiting in the same tank. However, when kept in the same tank, it is not uncommon for two or more of these big fish to fight. Also, Oscars are very messy eaters, and so more Oscars means more cleaning.

The Oscar is one of about 1,300 species of cichlids. Oscars are usually orange and black, though an albino variety is also available. The albino variety is similar to the regular, except that albino Oscars are white and orange.

Oscars have big eyes and marvelous eyesight; they can almost see things that are directly behind them. These big eyes come in handy when hunting. Oscars are mostly carnivorous and will eat pretty much anything. Tanked Oscars must be fed a proper diet; otherwise they are likely to develop devastating health problems.

Oscars have tremendous appetites, and so feeding them can get expensive. They appreciate small "feeder" fish, which are fatty but provide nutrients to the Oscar. It is best to keep a stash of frozen fish and pellet food. In the wild, sixty percent of the Oscar's diet consists of insects. However, they also prey on smaller fish so feeder fish and frozen fish will do the trick.

Tank size aside, there are many living environment requirements for these fish. Because of their messiness, Oscars call for ten to fifteen percent water changes. Unfortunately, not all waste will be caught by the filters. The aquarium set-up must include a heater and thermometer. The ideal water temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit, though anywhere between 74 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit will be suitable. It is very important to maintain this temperature because if the water gets too warm it will lead to oxygen deprivation. This, in turn, can cause nerve damage, heart damage, and a weakened immune system.

Oscars are also prone to the dreaded hole-in-the-head disease. This is a disease that causes sores, lesions, and holes in a fish's head and body. There are several different treatment methods which range from deep cleaning the tank to vitamins and even antibiotics. Hole-in-the-head disease is more common in Oscars than in any other fish, so owners should pay attention to any spots that appear on or around the Oscars' heads. Without treatment, hole-in-the-head disease can be fatal to your fish.

Oscars can be great pets for fish-lovers, but only when taken care of properly. Oscar owners also tend to like Pacu, since they are about the same size. As with all pets, anyone who has never kept Oscars before should thoroughly think it through before diving into ownership.

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