#OSCAR FISH FREE#

These food sources can be a great compliment to a balanced commercial diet, but be sure that your source offers clean live foods free of parasites and diseases.Īlthough Oscars eat live food in the wild, many modern hobbyists avoid offering live feeder fish in the aquarium setting. Many owners also offer their cichlids frozen, dried, or live bloodworms and mealworms. Therefore, you can feed your Oscar fruits or vegetables such as green peas or small pieces of apple. It's important to know that Oscars and many other cichlids are omnivorous. Although these balanced formulas provide your Oscar with all the requirements they need, many owners choose to supplement their Oscars' diet with additional food or treats. It's best to select a complete commercial diet specifically created for cichlids, which typically come in a pellet form. There are a variety of different options to choose from when it comes to what to feed your Oscar fish. In this case, bacteria is beneficial to your fish. The resulting nitrates are still dangerous if levels are too high, so routine water changes are necessary to export this final waste product from the system. This is accomplished by leveraging the power of good bacteria in the filter to break down ammonia and nitrite. Fortunately, biological filtration converts harmful ammonia and nitrite into less-toxic nitrate. Unless steps are taken to break ammonia down to less toxic chemicals - namely nitrites and nitrates - it can quickly build up and kill fish. Fish routinely create ammonia during respiration and excretion. The most complex yet critical method involved in aquarium filtration systems is biological filtration. Chemical filtration media typically becomes saturated with unwanted compounds after use, and must be replaced regularly to be effective. Activated charcoal is a classic example of chemical filtration media, and many systems use it for this purpose. Aquarists use these media to remove harmful compounds from aquarium water. A second step involves adding media to the filtration system that is chemically reactive. Some aquarium filtration systems involve solely mechanical filtration, but this is not adequate for many fish. This involves equipment components situated at the filtration water intake or early in the filtration loop that physically strain and remove waste through the aquarium filter. There are three components involved in this complex system. This is due to the large volume of waste they generate, also known as their bioload.Ī three-stage filtration system is essential for your Oscar fish habitat. An uneven tank puts extra pressure on the side panel seals, which can lead to leaks.Ī high-quality filtration system is absolutely essential for all home aquariums, but it's especially important for Oscar systems.

Make sure the tank and stand are completely level.Be sure to place your aquarium on a sturdy stand or table and in a location where you can access your fish and enjoy watching them.If this sounds excessive, keep in mind that these large fish need room to move and swim freely. Any more than two Oscar fish require a 200-gallon tank or larger. Plan to keep a single fish in a 75-gallon aquarium, or two Oscars in an aquarium with a volume of at least 100-gallons.Err on the side of caution and choose the largest tank size you can afford. Tighter quarters can lead to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, which in turn can lead to disease.Because they can become very big, you will need an aquarium that accommodates them comfortably.Įthan Mizer, advanced aquarist and LoveToKnow pet editor, states that Oscars, 'grow rapidly, and can reach nearly 10 inches after around a year of growth.' He encourages fish owners to 'plan ahead' to ensure their aquarium allows enough room for Oscars as they mature. Oscars are among the largest freshwater fish that average hobbyists have a chance of keeping successfully, and it's not uncommon for them to grow up to 18 inches long. Choosing the Aquarium for Proper Oscar Care