2006-08-25 23:05:32 · 12 answers · asked by wisk.farr 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Lots of good answers here, except for the one that tells you to feed them feeder fish. That is not a good idea. Feeder fish are raised in outdoor ponds so the chances of getting some parasites or disease with them is good.
More large carnivorous fish (saltwater too) are killed by internal parasites and diseases brought in by feeder fish than by any other problem.
Fish don't live nearly as long in the wild as they do in well tended aquariums, there is usually no parasites or disease in the aquariums.
I had 5 large (12-15") oscars years ago and fed them dry dog food pellets, yes, dog food pellets. They are much cheaper than cichlid pellets!! Get a good, high protein (40-50%) brand and they will be fine. These pellets come in different sizes too.
2006-08-26 02:16:48 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have an oscar. first of all there is a specific type of food for his species of fish. its food for cicilids, or cicalads, or cichalads, something like that. just ask someone at a pet store, they should lknow what your talking about. but oscars can sometimes be picky eaters. one thing that could be the problem is that you feed him too many treats. he'll get so used to treats he wont eat the regular food. if thgis is the case just ween him off of the treats. use less and less of the treat and gradually mix in the regular food untilt hats all he's eating ( treats include feeder goldfish, crickets, worms, freeze dried shrimp ,anything thats not the normal pellets). another thing is he could be sick. but as long as he's eating than thats probably not it.. the other hting is his water tmepature may not be right. if im not mistaken the temperture should be somewhere between 75 and 78 degrees farenhiet. if his tank is too small that might afffect it as well. if he's 8 inches you should have a t the minimum a 30 gallon tnak. preferably a 40 or 50 gallon tank though. another thing. are there any placaustamus( tank cleaning sucker fish) in the tank. if he doesnt there may be too much algae or refuse in the tank.. theres a ton of different types of things. the best thing to do is to go to a pet store where they sell oscars and ask them about it. they'll be able to help you much more than i can. good luck!
2006-08-25 23:19:10 · answer #2 · answered by oxenofterror 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have Oscars that are 11 inches to 15 inches long and I feed them live day old mice or live crickets or live nightcrawlers. When they get this big, fish food sticks just is not enough. Just let the live critters float or swim on top of the water and the Oscars will do the rest.
2006-08-25 23:32:32 · answer #3 · answered by shyrock 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Avoid live goldfish. Anyone who told you to feed them live goldfish is ignorant and shouldn't be answering your question.
The reason is, goldfish are too fatty and have too little nutrients. If an oscar or any other large cichlid is given goldfish as a staple diet, they can develop HITH (Hole in the head disease).
Try frozen bloodworms, live blackworms, cut up beef or liver, or even some of the frozen foods made for large cichlids. Pellets are also a good staple as they contain many needed nutrients for a healthy fish. Try to feed your oscar a variety of foods, however.
And stephanie_kittie:
Just in case you are wondering what bloodworms really are, they are nymph fly larvae. :)
2006-08-26 14:36:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, when I was working at a pet store, I had to feed the Oscars (and the other fish) all the time. The Oscars love blood worms. They are really nasty to touch and feed them because they are little worms(frozen) covered in blood, sort of. They really liked it though.
2006-08-26 07:30:39 · answer #5 · answered by stephanie_kittie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy some shrimp from the supermarket and chop it into little mouthfuls and give it to the fish one at a time.
Or if you want you can get dried shrimp pellets at the pet shop.
2006-08-26 00:54:47 · answer #6 · answered by summergirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hahah!
Oscars eat little fish. Go to your pet store and buy some of those little tiny goldfish or some "ruby reds".
2006-08-25 23:10:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
in real life, oscars eat meat... its the damn pet stores that turned these fishes into pellet eating swimmers....
since your fish wont eat normal fish food, try buy some meat n cut them into small chunks/cubes .... say 6mm x 6mm x 6mm (2/8th inch cube)
try chichken meat, liver, etc.....
hope it helps...cheers
2006-08-25 23:16:53 · answer #8 · answered by son70 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a little minced beef or go to a tackle shop and by some maggots
2006-08-25 23:13:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
try feeding it some live food or frozen food as to what kind i cant tell u thats about as far as i go with oscer infow
2006-08-26 14:13:37 · answer #10 · answered by Josey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋