THE IDEAL TANK SETUP FOR OSCARS Known by the scientific name Astronotus ocellatus, Oscars belong to the cichlid family of fishes which contains over 2,000 separate species. Other names for this species include velvet cichlid, tiger Oscar and marble cichlid. The natural habitat of these fish is South America where they can be found throughout the Amazon River basin in slow-moving waters, typically hiding amongst submerged branches and aquatic vegetation. Because this species does not tolerate cool water temperatures, its distribution is fairly limited – temperatures below 55°F can actually be lethal for Oscars. Tank Size and Requirements Do not buy any fish that is small enough to fit into your Oscar’s mouth (nothing smaller than 5 inches is ideal) Look for fish that will not be overly timid – they must be able to compete for food in the tank Avoid fish that are very timid or shy – the Oscar may chase them around the tank, causing them stress Consider bottom-dwelling fish that will stay out of your Oscar’s way (Oscars prefer the top to mid-level areas)

It may seem like a lot of extra work to do the research necessary to find the ideal tank mate for your Oscar, but it is definitely worth it. The last thing you want to do is introduce a new fish into your tank only to have your Oscar bully it around (or worse, eat it). Given the requirements listed above, some of the best species for Oscar tank mates include catfish, Silver Dollar fish, Firemouth cichlids, Convict cichlids and blue acara. Avoid larger cichlids like Texas cichlid and terrors because these fish are likely to cause aggression problems in the tank. While many cichlid species can be considered “messy,” the Oscar is particularly known for this trait. Due to their size, Oscars produce a significant amount of waste which can contribute to high levels of ammonia and nitrate in the tank if you are not careful. For this reason, it is essential that you equip your tank with a high-quality filtration system and that you perform regular water changes to maintain high water quality.

While mechanical filtration is important for removing solid wastes from the tank water, chemical filtration is essential for removing toxins like ammonia and nitrite. Many Oscar enthusiasts recommend canister filters for Oscar tanks because they are easy to use and they provide very efficient filtration -- you can also customize them by choosing your own filter media depending on the needs of your tank.6ft fish tank and cabinet In addition to filtration, heating is also very important in an Oscar tank. best store to buy aquariumBecause these fish come from a tropical habitat, they require warm water, generally within the 77° to 80°F range. best place to buy fish tanks uk

To achieve this, you will need to equip your tank with a quality aquarium heater. Ideally, you should place a submersible heater near the return valve of your filter or use an in-line heater that can be connected to your canister filter so the water is heated as soon as it is returned to the tank. shut up and fish tank topIf you use a submersible or hang-on heater, be sure to purchase one that is shatterproof because Oscars can be destructive in the home aquarium. new fish tank slimeIn terms of aquarium lighting, Oscars do not have any specific requirements but, if you plan to keep live plants in the tank, you will need some kind of lighting. fish tank for crested geckoThe natural environment of wild Oscars, however, tends to be dim and murky so your Oscars may also enjoy this type of environment.

Other Tips and Info Oscars are a carnivorous species by nature so they should be fed commercial foods that are primarily meat-based. Live foods such as insects, worms, crayfish, feeder fish and aquatic invertebrates are a good food source for this species though, in the wild, they feed primarily on small fish and insects. Some Oscars will also accept frozen foods as long as they have been thawed first. When feeding your Oscar feeder fish like goldfish, it is best to raise the feeder fish yourself so you can ensure that they are healthy – if you feed your Oscar feeder fish that have been exposed to disease, they could pass it on to your Oscar. Most Recent Forum Discussions How fast do American Flagfish breed? - By kate_kuhli, 04/20/17 09:45:07 pm (2 replies)I wanted some fast breeding native fish for my pond and these seem like a great match but I'm not sure just how quickly or ...- By _fins_, 04/20/17 06:38:28 pm (2 replies)I got some neon tetras earlier this week but they died after only having them a couple of days.

What would have caused this?United Airlines - By xxluckxx, 04/16/17 06:23:00 pm (2 replies)What is going on with them?! They're getting a ton of bad press lately! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ALL-IN-ONE AQUARIUMS SIMPLE TIPS FOR BUILDING A SALTWATER TANK WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK AQUARIUM NEWS: FIVE NEW SPECIES OF DWARFGOBIES DISCOVERED The oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a species of fish from the cichlid family known under a variety of common names, including tiger oscar, velvet cichlid, and marble cichlid.[1] In tropical South America, where the species naturally resides, A. ocellatus specimens are often found for sale as a food fish in the local markets.[3] The fish has been introduced to other areas, including China, Australia, and the United States. It is considered a popular aquarium fish in Europe and the U.S.[4][5][6] The species was originally described by Louis Agassiz in 1831 as Lobotes ocellatus, as he mistakenly believed the species was marine; later work assigned the species to the genus Astronotus.

[7] The species also has a number of junior synonyms: Acara compressus, Acara hyposticta, Astronotus ocellatus zebra, and Astronotus orbiculatus. Ocelli on dorsal fin and caudal peduncle A. ocellatus examples have been reported to grow to about 45 cm (18 in) in length and 1.6 kilograms (3.5 lb) in weight.[1] The wild-caught forms of the species are typically darkly coloured with yellow-ringed spots or ocelli on the caudal peduncle and on the dorsal fin.[5] These ocelli have been suggested to function to limit fin-nipping by piranha (Serrasalmus spp.), which co-occur with A. ocellatus in its natural environment.[9] The species is also able to rapidly alter its colouration, a trait which facilitates ritualised territorial and combat behaviours amongst conspecifics.[10] Juvenile oscars have a different colouration from adults, and are striped with white and orange wavy bands and have spotted heads. A. ocellatus is native to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and French Guiana, and occurs in the Amazon River basin, along the Amazon, Içá, Negro, Solimões, and Ucayali River systems, and also in the Approuague and Oyapock River drainages.

[2] In its natural environment, the species typically occurs in slow-moving white-water habitats, and has been observed sheltering under submerged branches.[5] Feral populations also occur in China,[11] northern Australia,[12] and Florida, USA[13] as a byproduct of the ornamental fish trade. The species is limited in its distribution by its intolerance of cooler water temperatures, the lower lethal limit for the species is 12.9 °C (55.22 °F). Although the species is widely regarded as sexually monomorphic,[5] males have been suggested to grow more quickly,[] and in some naturally occurring strains, males are noted to possess dark blotches on the base of their dorsal fins.[7] The species reaches sexual maturity around one year of age,[] and continues to reproduce for 9–10 years.[] Frequency and timing of spawning may be related to the occurrence of rain.[15] A. ocellatus fish are biparental substrate spawners, though detailed information regarding their reproduction in the wild is scarce.

Young oscar, about 2 in In captivity, pairs are known to select and clean generally flattened horizontal or vertical surfaces on which to lay their 1,000 to 3,000 eggs.[] Like most cichlids, A. ocellatus practices brood care, although the duration of brood care in the wild remains unknown. The oscar is one of the most popular cichlids in the aquarium hobby. Captive oscars may be fed prepared fish food designed for large carnivorous fish: crayfish, worms, and insects (such as flies, crickets and grasshoppers). Feeding live foods may increase the rate of growth but also may cause endoparasites. Poultry and/or mammalian flesh, including beefheart, should not be fed long term as these fatty foods will contribute to fatty liver disease.[16] Since these fish eat fruit in the wild, items such as melons, oranges, and other fruits can also be used as a type of food. Just about anything that falls into the water would be eaten by oscars. Live feeder fish can be given, but fish such as goldfish and rosy red feeder minnows should not be fed.

These contain an enzyme (thiaminase) within their flesh which binds vitamin B1, leading to deficiency. Most fish eaten by A. ocellatus in the wild are relatively sedentary catfish, including Bunocephalus, Rineloricaria, and Ochmacanthus species.[9] The species uses a suction mechanism to capture prey,[17] and has been reported to exhibit "laying-on-side" death mimicry in a similar fashion to Parachromis friedrichsthalii and Nimbochromis livingstonii.[19] The species also has an absolute requirement for vitamin C, and develops health problems in its absence. Oscars will often lay claim to an area of the aquarium and will be very aggressive towards other fish encroaching on their newly established territory inside the aquarium or lake. The size of the territory varies depending on the size and aggressiveness of the fish based on its surroundings. Once the oscar establishes a territory, it will vigorously defend it by chasing away other fish. A number of ornamental varieties of A. ocellatus have been developed for the aquarium industry.