Oscars?

[Sye]

I have heard a lot of people on here talking about how mean their Oscar is....I dont plan to get one yet(no space) but Im intrested in them... Just how aggresive are they and what makes them so mean?

 

[smb]

In general, Oscars aren't even close to being as aggro as say a Midas, red devil, istlanum, haitiensis, dovii, festae and many many others. You might get one that is more aggro then the next Oscar but they're not in this class of fish. They don't have the speed,aggressiveness nor teeth to do much damage compared to the fish I listed. So to answer your question, they aren't so mean or aggro.

They are a great fish tho and one well worth having, just not if you're looking for an aggro fish.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Nope, my experience with them has shown that they are actually quite cowardly. They make great 'wet pets' though. As long as you have a big tank, and lots of mechanical filtration to keep up, these guys poop bigger then some dogs, and if you feed them live food too...

 

[AquaNut]

This is one of those situations where it's all relative. You guys don't think of oscars as being aggressive or mean because you keep cichlids that are far, far more so. To somebody who's been keeping livebearers, tetras, and cories, oscars are really aggressive and 'mean' at first. I dropped an adult guppy in for Una, my young oscar, this morning and she ate it whole in about 1.2 seconds. To people who have only ever kept community fish, this feeding behaviour alone is enough to label them as aggro. There's also the way she rams her head against the glass to try and get at the angelfish in the next tank over.... or the way she was relentlessly attacking an angel three times her size when he moved into her tank for a few hours one day during an angelfish show-down... I know they're not aggressive compared to many of the other cichlids, but it might be a bit misleading to tell someone who's never had a cichlid that they're docile and cowardly.

 

[smb]

I know they're not aggressive compared to many of the other cichlids, but it might be a bit misleading to tell someone who's never had a cichlid that they're docile and cowardly.

Good point.

It is relative to what you keep. I guess I'm calloused after having tankbusters for so many years but yes, if you're used to community fish then Oscars would be considered aggro in comparison. I wouldn't consider an oscar cowardly tho by any means.

Either way, I think oscars are a great fish and everyone should keep at least one in their lifetime. They will see a beautiful and owner responsive fish they'll grow to love as one of their favorites. I would love to have one.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Good point.

Aw, you're just trying to score points smb

But seriously, you are right, aggressive is all relative. I'm just thinking the nervous way they lay on their side, like a submissive dog... and the way they are pummelled by other new world cichlids half their size...

 

[smb]

Good point.

Aw, you're just trying to score points smb

LOL. shhhhh.

Yea, she reminds me from time to time about the aggro being relative. I'm like you and think of it in terms of all cichlids combined instead of someone who might have only had a community setup. Isn't the first time she has had to remind me of this and put me in my place, I know it won't be the last either. I'll learn one of these days, I guess.

 

[Losi]

I have an Oscar in a tank next to my community and he looks at the other tank like it is dinner.

I would not say that he is aggressive as such it is just that the difference in size between him and most community fish means that he sees all of them as a snack!!

All Oscars are different though so others will obviously be different to mine?!

 

[thecichlidaddict]

I have an Oscar in a tank next to my community and he looks at the other tank like it is dinner

That's exactly it. Aggression isn't about eating habits. Put an Oscar in a tank with anything that can fit into its mouth and it will go after it with vigor. Put an Oscar with another fish of a similar size and it will turn tail and run! :

 

[missyintx_99]

I have an Oscar in a tank next to my community and he looks at the other tank like it is dinner

That's exactly it. Aggression isn't about eating habits. Put an Oscar in a tank with anything that can fit into its mouth and it will go after it with vigor. Put an Oscar with another fish of a similar size and it will turn tail and run! :

In general this is true, but its not always like that. I have an Oscar that is about 10" now and still growing and he has been kept with a Jag that was still a baby, and currently lives with a 5" Texas and a 5" Green Terror and he rules the tank.
When the Texas and GT start argueing, the Oscar is right there to bust it up and keep the peace.
I've seen him flare his gills out at the GT and shows no fear at all of anything he's been kept with.
So while yes, I can agree that generally speaking, Oscars are not as aggressive as some of their counterparts, and they are much more aggressive than any livebearer or other typical tropical, how aggressive they are really depends on the individual fish. Thats the really great thing about cichlids and why so many folks are keeping them as pets these days. They have unique personalities!
I would highly recommend getting an Oscar if you have the tank for one. You'll really love it!

 

[Sondan]

When I get to St. Louis in a few months I am going to buy a 75-90 gallon tank for mine. I CAN'T WAIT !!! He is already so much fun. If I can get a 90 I will be a second albino Oscar for it. I just hope they will get along. Mine is also different. I have some cory cats with mine. I know that sounds crazy but a friend of mine says his brother has some in with his and they don't bother them. Well he has been living with these guys ever since he was about 2-3 inches long (He is now almost 6.) Mine also does not seem to bother them. They are OLD cory cats though so if he were to eat them it would not be a waste. I think it is horrible to just throw a fish into the trash after you are done with him. Eat least let the fish be food for another fish and get some good out of him. I mean it is like buying a $10,000 coffin over a $100 pine box.....I am dead,,,what the hell do I care. :kira: :kira:
Signed,
Sondan