Tropical Fish - the Oscar

With their protruding eyes, hardy shape and endearing pet like qualities the Oscar stands out and earns itself a place in many home aquariums. Although not as brightly colored, nor ornate as other tropical fish, this fish holds a certain amount of undeniable appeal and charm. For nearly ten years I have owned an orange Tiger Oscar. I have watched him grow from a tiny, shy, one inch fry that darted around the tank, into a confident intelligent larger than life fish that begs for food and rearranges his tank whenever he sees fit. It is amazing to watch the transformation. While Oscars are young and eating heavily you can almost watch them grow. There are however a few obstacles and considerations that come to light when introducing such a large fish into a home aquarium. If you decide you can accommodate their needs and are willing to give an Oscar an appropriate tank, this fun loving clever fish may be the right choice for you.

Tank Size- Although as a fry an Oscar can live in a ten or twenty gallon starter tank, they will soon outgrow their surroundings and need to be upgrade to a larger tank. A 50 to 150gallon tank would be better suited to an adult Oscar, especially if you intend to keep a pair of Oscars. When considering tank size the larger the better, both for the company and health of the fish as well as the water quality. Do take into account the weight of the tank when filled with water, fish and gravel. The placement of the tank in your home should be appropriate to the weight of the tank.