Is This True?

[ECCO_]

"A bored Oscar fish can actually become stressed and more susceptible to illness."
Doing a little research I found this and was wondering if it is indeed true?
If so, how can you prevent this from happening?

 

[shroob]

I cannot definitively say that its true, but I'd agree with it. Theres a proven link between stress and a weakened immune system.

For an example, and oscar in a completely bare tank would be bored, as would any animal. Just ask any oscar owner how interactive, inquisitive, curious and intelligent oscars are then think about them with no stimulus. You can even train oscars to do simple tricks eg. swimming through hoops, pulling levers for food etc. Also think about the amount of time/effort zoo's and other animal institutions put into 'environment enrichment' for their animals, hopefully the days of lions or tigers mindlessly pacing up and down in cages is long gone (in this country at least).

I would say to prevent boredom an oscar needs a stimulating environment, by that I mean suitable tank space, some decorations (bogwood or plants say), and tank mates - though choose with care. Sure they might rip up the plants, rearrange the tank but it gives them something to do. I've also seen people float ping pong balls on the surface, make sure they are a suitable size if you try this.

 

[ChilliPepper]

"A bored Oscar fish can actually become stressed and more susceptible to illness."
Doing a little research I found this and was wondering if it is indeed true?
If so, how can you prevent this from happening?

That's true, but probably the true for most fish. As Shroob has mentioned, there is a link between stress and a poor immune system, thus susceptible to health problems. Oscars, like most large cichlids, are very prone to HITH disease if they don't have all their nutritional and environmental requirements met.

Oscars are very intelligent fish, and enjoy exploring their environment. I have two large pieces of bogwood in my tank, along with some silk plants. He enjoys cruising around these, and also likes watching me and T.V.

I am going to try the ping pong idea with my Bo. Once, we dropped a suction cup in the tank by accident, and Bo was right on it playing with it, dragging it around

 

[star4]

I find most of my cichlids like to "play" with something thermometers stuck to the glass, re-arranging the plastic plants or destroying live plants is a favorite. I have just removed a coconut shell from on of my tanks because I was fed up of hearing the oscars and severum playing football with it and banging it on the glass (all 3 are sulking )

 

[Flagtail]

Oscars are very intellgent fish. I do agree to this statement and believe it is true.

 

[ECCO_]

Thanks all!!! I will keep this all this in mind.
Tank has decor... and I was just wondering. It seems to enjoy watching people pass, not sure if its out of hunger though.
Tankmates I think is out of the question, besides I wouldnt wanna add something the it'll kill or is way too aggressive.

Also, how do you know when an oscar is full? LoL weird question but it seems hungry all the time!
And how often should I feed it?

 

[shroob]

What size tank is the oscar (just asking to see if tankmates would fit). Oscars aren't the most aggressive of fish so there are suitable tankmates out there.

Oscars are never full . How often you should feed it depends on its size, a young oscar can be fed quite regularly, I fed mine twice a day, every day when young. As it grew I cut back to once a day. A good rule of thumb is to feed young oscars as much as they can eat in 30 seconds to a minute twice a day. A good diet would be a quality pellet as staple with treats including bloodworm, earthworms, crickets etc. Also don't forget the greens.

 

[ECCO_]

For now its in a 55 gallon all to its self (but I do plan on upgrading. Its 6inches....

 

[ChilliPepper]

As it's by itself you can maybe buy an extra month or so, but you really should think about an upgrade a.s.a.p. Also if you were going to add mates in with him, I'd do it sooner rather than later.

 

[Flagtail]

Yes I agree an upgrade is needed asap!
As far as tankmates goes, silverdollars, tinfoil barbs, and other larger characins and barbs would work.
Plecos, flagtail proch., severums, geophagus, and more are perfect as well.

 

[ECCO_]

I am...OMG cant wait

 

[chrisrm]

I am...OMG cant wait

i know that feeling!!

 

[ChilliPepper]

My Oscar gets on well with my Sevs and Nic. Ignores the bichir. They respect he's the top dawg, and that's that. They are not aggressive unless they need to be. To be honest they are too lazy for that. Far more interested in food than fighting

 

[ECCO_]

How do you introduce new tank mates? I was thinking the same thing about either a bichir or a ropefish.

 

[ECCO_]

How do you introduce new tank mates? I was thinking the same thing about either a bichir or a ropefish.

any catfish also..?