by Jaimela King

Created on: October 27, 2008

Did you know that the Oscar fish can recognize its owners the same way cats and dogs do? In no time you will have an Oscar eating out of your hands, literally. If you own Oscars, you may have already noticed the Oscar's strong personality, and if you haven't yet tried feeding them directly from your hands, you are in for a pleasant surprise. They sure give a new meaning to fish as pets.

The Oscar (A. ocellatus), is native to some South American countries such as Brazil, Peru, Columbia and French Guyana where they can be found in the Amazon basin, river systems and drainages in those areas. The ornamental fish trade has resulted in populations of the Oscar appearing in the waters of China, Florida and Australia.

A variety of ornamental Oscars have been bred for aquariums and include those with red pigmentation, albino, marbled red pigmentation and red appearances. Under the right conditions, they can grow to 18 inches (45 cm) and weigh over three pounds (1.6 kg). Oscars have become very popular among aquarists who see them as smart, due to their ability to recognize their owners and because they are relatively calm in the aquarium setting. However, it is important to have a clear understanding of the nature of the Oscars and how to care for them properly.

Aquarium Capacity

While these predatory fish are reasonably refined in an aquarium setting, they can be somewhat rambunctious. They have been observed rearranging the furniture in the aquarium so if you notice uprooted plants and misplaced objects, it is not your imagination. In the interest of their comfort, it is recommended that they are housed in tanks with a minimum 75 gallon capacity (200-300 Liters). The Oscar fish can grow very fast to reach 18 inches. You may therefore, only be able to house 2 such fish in a 75 gallon tank.

Food

Oscars are by no means picky eaters in the aquarium setting. In the wild, their diet is largely made up of terrestrial insects with some small fish and crustaceans thrown in for a balanced diet. In captivity, they enjoy a range of food from fish to small lizards. It is, however, suggested that a regular intake of live food like guppies and goldfish will help maintain good health and appearance. A high protein diet with cichlid pellets is also required to maintain their good health.

Aggression

Because Oscars are predatory in nature, large and somewhat aggressive with each other, be very careful about what types of fish they have as companions. Choose fish that are the same size as the

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