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Updated: 30th October 2008 |
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Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Video
Common Name: Red
Oscar.
Group: South American
Cichlid. The Oscar is found throughout the Amazon and Orinoco system in South America. Its widespread locations are evidence to its hardiness. Evidence to its intelligence is such that, when the rainy season floods parts of the forest almost to treetop, the less intelligent fish become stranded as the waters drop, leaving isolated pools which become a banquet of fish for animals. The Oscar cannot be found, having returned to the river proper long before they pools became isolated! Some do invariably get caught and become food in their turn to Cayman's etc. Oscars are predators on small fish. They know that small fish will hide so they search in those hiding holes. Another method of the Oscar is to float on the surface amidst floating debris waiting for small fish to come by. Evidence of this can be seen in the aquarium when your Oscar will uproot any plants and search behind rocks. Oscar's first appeared in Europe around the late 1920s and their popularity has never waned. Indeed, with modern technological advances, keeping specialist fish has never been easier. Point to note: Do not place an Oscar in a well planted aquarium! Its probably best to use the many varieties of plastic "false" plants that are available in Aquarium shops, many so like the real thing. The Oscar is quite a curious fish, a good idea is to rearrange his habitat fairly frequently to save him (or her) becoming bored!! Even if it is only moving the plants and breeding stones from one end to the other. The particular configuration of the fins of the Oscar are believed to have become developed over time to fool such as the Piranha and fin nipping fish. The rounded fins do not appear so obvious. Couple this with the eye spot and many Oscars appear to be "reversed" in the water. Maintenance: The Oscar is one of the easiest fish to care for and for its size one of the most peaceful. The tank should be large, at least a 55 gal with a medium textured substrate. Keep plants to a minimum and provide flat rocks and pieces of driftwood for cover. If you want to use plants try using large leaf varieties of lilies or some floating plants, Oscars like most cichlids can and will dig the substrate. Water conditions for Oscars are not critical but they do like medium hard, acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5 to 7.5) water. Feeding as you would expect is no problem as Oscars will take all types of food including flake, frozen, pellets, and of course live, in nature they are an opportunistic fish and will eat anything that happens by. You can even dig earthworms for them. Oscars are a very long-lived fish and quickly develop their own personality, probably one of the reasons they are so popular today. Care: Red Oscars are a hardy fish. They need warm waters, with temperatures ranging from 72 to 80 degrees fahrenheit. The pH level of their water should be slightly acidic to alkaline, with a range between 6.5 and 8. Red Oscars should be fed live foods, including bloodworms, earthworms, crickets, mealworms, glass worms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms and fish. Freeze dried pellet and tablet foods will occasionally be accepted. Cichlid pellets are a particular favourite of many Oscars. These are available in the store. Breeding: To entice breeding, use warmer water temperatures, between 80 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit and a slightly acid pH, from 6.6 to 7. Red Oscars will lay their eggs, numbering up to a thousand or so, on flat rock slates. Red Oscars will aggressively defend their eggs and fry. A strong bond is established between the pair after numerous trials of strength, although the pair remains loyal. The Red Oscar makes a great pet. Their strong and varying personalities makes them a popular species of cichlid. They are also relatively inexpensive and easy to care for and they are a large, beautiful fish. They can even be fed by hand. Red Oscars are an aggressive fish, as is true of many cichlids. Red Oscars will eat any fish that can fit into its mouth, so make sure its tank mates are of equal size. As long as they have plenty of space, they should not bother other tank mates of the same size. They are however, known to bully tank mates of the same size. If they are kept with larger, more aggressive fish, they become very timid and will have a hard time fending for themselves. They will play dead if there are scared. Red Oscars are known for their vivid personalities. Hand feeding is a popular trait of Red Oscars. Also, a lid must be put on their tank, because they are known to jump very high. Red Oscars should be kept in large aquariums, with light to moderate rock and plant decoration. Red Oscars will usually move decorations as they see fit, so don't plan on having a certain look in a tank with a Red Oscar in it. Live plants should be potted. Also, make sure that the gravel is not too small, as it can be ingested as they eat, which could be fatal. In addition to a diet of Cichlid pellets beef heart may also be a good food for Oscars they love it and it also promotes good growth. Red Oscars will reach a size of 10 to 12 inches at maturity. Their bodies are mostly red, with hints of orange and yellow. Females can be distinguished by their round anal fin, which looks somewhat like an arrowhead. The male's anal fin is much more pointed. Some Red Oscars will have black features, such as black tips, spots or lines. Red Oscars have very small scales, which allow them to heal quickly.
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