I've had my Oscar since Sunday and I've just been feeding it Hikari Gold cichlid pellets that I used to feed my Mbunas. What live food, aside from frozen, would be alright to feed my Oscar...and how often. =]
Thanks in advance.
2007-07-19 06:11:54 · 9 answers · asked by pnoiz1 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Of course, a good staple pellet like you are using should form the staple of the fishes diet. I would suggest feeding twice a day, once with pellets and once with live or frozen foods.
At 3" or so, you can probably feed things as small as live bloodworms, mosquito larvae, maggots and the like, but he will do well on larger items as well. Worms are excellent Oscar food as are soft insects like moths and flies. As he grows he can take on beetles and other insects as well.
Feeder guppies would be fine for him as long as you quarantine them for 2 weeks first to be sure your not introducing diseases into the tank with him.
I would strongly recommend avoiding such things as beef, chicken, pork etc for your fish. Meat from warm blooded animals does not contain the same set of amino acids as you find in clod blooded animals, so for other food items, use fish,shrimp, clams and the like.
MM
2007-07-19 06:20:52 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You can basically give them just about anything, though I'd give strong caution to feeder fish. It's just an opening of the door to let some unwanted pathogen in and better to just not do it. My understanding from things I learned from 8 in the Corner as well, is live feeders is one of the main causes of hole in the head problems, especially in Oscars, so I think best just don't even go that route to begin with.
Krill is a good choice. Bloodworms and mealworms as well. You could probably cut very small portions of cleaned fillets. Brine shrimp, though I have heard mixed reports on nutritional value. Vegetables as well would actually be pretty good. You shouldn't have much in the way of problems getting an Oscar to eat with thier appetite. Pellets aren't bad to suppliment like you are using now.
When bigger, insects such as crickets and ants will also work.
JV
Follow up:
MY BAD, right magic and Ghapy, I just realized fillet's are all inclusive lol. When I say fillet's it didn't occur to me to specifiy fish, though that's exactly what I was thinking.
2007-07-19 06:19:20 · answer #2 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ghost Shrimp are good and you run less risk of disease. Feeder fish are okay but often carry parasites. It doesn't really need live food, frozen food (like bloodworms or brineshrimp) is just as healthy and much cheaper and safer. Make sure you have a 50+ gallon tank ready for your future 16 inch fish.
Nosoop4u
2007-07-19 06:33:58 · answer #3 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tiger Oscar ........... Keep your eye open for a Veil Tail Oscar. Either an Albino or Tiger Veil Tale Oscar is extremely Attractive.
2016-05-17 10:58:48 · answer #4 · answered by nikki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can go to walmart and they have oscar pellets they have more protines for them since he's just a little guy. but most people say as much as he can eat in 3 minnuts but since he's little then he will deffinatly get full off about 3 or 4 pellets. also beef heart or brine shrimp are good for it too but they are alot more expensive. and if you want to see him eat fish asap then keep looking for the smallest feeder fish and feed him tiny ones. fish do help them grow faster anyway but once it gets bigger or big enough to eat normal sized things then dont get feeder fish anymore... go to you local fish supply store and get bait fish (they are required by law to not be sick or have worms if you want the extra insurance)lol
2007-07-19 07:06:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
cichlid pellets are good but if you want to feed live foods stay away from goldfish. One of the best live foods is earth worms and they dont bring along any nasty Parasites .
2007-07-19 06:36:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've always hated the answer 'they'll eat anything'. That doesn't mean anything they would eat is good for them.
Nothing from a warm blooded creature.
Feeder fish are fine as an occasional treat, but these fish are not piscavores by any stretch.
Krill, worms, insect larva, insects, shrimp, prawns, crayfish... basically insects and crustaceans and worms.
2007-07-19 06:23:42 · answer #7 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Lightly battered, then deep fried for a minute and a half. Serve with fries and a cold beer. Ha ha ha ha ha ha
Actually, buy small feeder gold fish by the dozen and toss them in all at once. He'll eat the dumb ones right away until he's full, then pick them off over the course of a few days. When they are all gone, wain one day, then do it over again. Feeders should run about 10 cents a piece at the pet shop.
2007-07-19 06:18:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
with that size, you can give it small, feeder fish. But really, the pellets and frozen items are better for it. See this site, it may help. http://www.oscarfishlover.com/content/view/16/31/
2007-07-19 06:24:24 · answer #9 · answered by LG 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋