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 Oscars, like Neotropical Cichlids. You do not want to house small defenseless fish with the Oscars, as already mentioned, they do enjoy live food.
And while some species like the Pink Oscars are less aggressive, you do need to carefully monitor your Oscars, to prevent them fighting each other. Ensure that they have enough space - especially when breeding - and that they are given enough food to eat. Watch also for any damage to their fins or bodies and take care of it immediately.
Cleaning and Filtration
An efficient filtration system is required to care for A. ocellatus as they can make quite a mess. The tank will require frequent cleaning due to the large daily deposits of waste. To assist in this area, try not to overfeed the fish and remove portions that remain uneaten. Water changes should be done on a weekly basis by removing 15 percent of the water and adding fresh water. Due to the huge waste deposits, ammonia levels can become too high . Be sure to maintain a ph balance around 7.2 for the health and safety of your Oscars.
Temperature
One important piece of equipment when caring for Oscars is a digital thermometer. Use it to take regular readings to ensure that the temperature stays between the 26 to 28 degrees C (78 to 80 F). Even in their natural environment, Oscars are unable to tolerate cooler temperatures and death can occur if the temperatures drops to 12 degrees C (55F).
The Oscars are in demand for their brains as much as for their beauty. They grow to love the hands that feed them and are able to distinguish their owners from strangers. While predatory and territorial in nature they are relative easy to take care of. Before you bring home an Oscar, ensure that you are well informed about this specie's habits, characteristics and how best to care for your new pet Oscar.