What do Oscars eat?

[Aqua John]

More specifically can I feed an Oscar snails, will they even eat snails? Any advice most appropriated.

 

[Ichthys]

They’re not really into snails. They’re into cockles, the marine equivalent, and prawns/shrimp. In nature they eat mainly fish and insects.
I feed them mainly prawns, cockles, the usual frozen foods when they’re small, and worms. And a good quality pellet as a supplement.

 

[Aqua John]

They’re not really into snails. They’re into cockles, the marine equivalent, and prawns/shrimp. In nature they eat mainly fish and insects.
I feed them mainly prawns, cockles, the usual frozen foods when they’re small, and worms. And a good quality pellet as a supplement.

Thanks Ichthys I'm actually looking to keep a medium to large fish that likes to chow down on snails. (no puffers) So I guess an Oscar is not the right one.

 

[Ichthys]

Most if not all tilapias love snails. They’re unmatched for clearing MTS from substrates.

 

[speakerman3]

Thanks Ichthys I'm actually looking to keep a medium to large fish that likes to chow down on snails. (no puffers) So I guess an Oscar is not the right one.

Botia loaches love snails. If you have a lot of room (I would say a 200+ gallon tank, a group of clown leaches would be awesome. If not, other Botias are hardy and can work, but be aware that some are territorial and need to be kept as individuals.

 

[Aqua John]

Botia loaches love snails. If you have a lot of room (I would say a 200+ gallon tank, a group of clown leaches would be awesome. If not, other Botias are hardy and can work, but be aware that some are territorial and need to be kept as individuals.

Thanks speakerman a group of clown loaches sounds good.

 

[Aqua John]

Most if not all tilapias love snails. They’re unmatched for clearing MTS from substrates.

Not sure about tilapia's.

 

[Colin_T]

If you have a snail problem, perhaps do something about that instead of trying to find a fish that eats them.

 

[Aqua John]

Thanks for the advice Colin but I don't have a snail problem. In fact I only have 2 mystery snails. If and when they bread it could become a issue of space.

 

[Essjay]

Mystery snails lay their eggs above the water line making it easier to control their numbers - remove the egg clusters before they hatch

 

[Aqua John]

I will probably do that. I just wanted a way for them to be useful.