An Oscar fish (Astronotus ocellatus) is one of the most interesting carnivorous fresh water fish, and among the most popular. Growing up to 15-16 inches in size, this highly aggressive fish is also an intelligent and reportedly picky with its tank set up. An Oscar fish that is dissatisfied with how the aquarium is arranged will destroy the set up regardless of the type of decoration placed. Make sure you provide lots of plants for your Oscar fish to hide. If you plan to breed, put in gravel and sand that is most suitable for Oscars fish(i.e. cichlid gravel).
Set up your aquarium a couple of weeks before bringing an Oscar fish home. It is very sensitive, making it important that your tank has finished its nitrogen cycle and has an appropriate pH level to reduce stress. If it’s a late addition to the tank, you may want to quarantine your Oscar fish before adding it into the tank. If you wish to pair Oscars fish, make sure that they have the same temperament. An aggressive Oscar fish is most likely to bully the passive one.
To keep your fish healthy, change the water every week. A weekly water change of 10% is just right to keep the water clean. Just remember to have the water cycled before adding it to the tank. Have an air pump installed to cycle and oxygenate the water. Oscars fishes are also sensitive to light; an actinic lighting set up will be just enough to see your fish without causing much stress.
To promote their hunting instincts, you can add smaller fish for them to eat. However, they can contain disease and parasites that can harm your fish and should be done with caution. You may give your fish a frozen mixture of beef hearts, cichlid pellets, earthworms, and shrimps to give them the necessary protein and vitamins for optimum growth.
It is not that hard to care for Oscars fish. As long as you keep the water clean, maintain the tank weekly, and give it adequate food and lighting, your Oscar fish can last for 15 years or more.
