![]() ![]() When water conditions and their diet is right, you can expect them to easily reach up to 20 years of age. LifespanĪ healthy Oscar Fish can live up to 10 – 20 years in captivity. Many factors like genetics, diet, temperature, water quality, etc can slightly change their maturity time and size. We have seen many new aquarists buy this fish and in just a few months they realize their fish has already outgrown their tank.Īs mentioned, Oscar fish are fast-growing species and will become fully mature in just 12 -14 months. This is why we do not recommend this fish for beginners. They will also grow at a faster rate compared to other aquarium fish. This makes them one of the bigger types of fish you can own in a home aquarium. In the wild, they can even become larger and grow up to 18 inches large. In captivity, Oscar fish can grow to about 12 – 14 inches in length and can weigh up to 1.6 kilograms. The males have a spiky vent tube and the females have a larger vent designed to lay eggs. The best way to identify the gender of these fish is to look at their vent area. ![]() Unlike other fish where it is easy to identify their gender by the shape or coloration, the male and female Oscars look exactly the same. Oscar fish are sexually monomorphic which mean male and females look exactly the same. They are now available in full Red, Orange, Yellow, Albino, and Bronze colorations as well as different patterns and fin shapes. These fish are now selectively bred to develop long and flowing fins and super bright red colorations. Since this fish is extremely popular in the hobby, many breeders have line-bred them to create different patterns and fin shapes. The eyes are often the first organ they lose in a fight. These fish also have large eyes that are pooped out of their head. The fins are large and symmetric which gives the fish its iconic oval shape. They have an oval-shaped body that is quite bold and beefy. The patterns are also very different from the adult specimens. At young ages, they are often darker and have fewer colorations on them. They also change colors and patterns throughout their lifespan. They often become more vibrant when they are protecting their territory or fighting with other fish. These fish are also able to change their coloration based on their mood. The body patterns of these fish often protect them from piranha attacks. Piranhas are one of the most aggressive predators living in the same region as this fish and are known to attack Oscars. They also come with an eye-like patch on their tail that makes other predators think twice before coming after this fish. The wild-caught variants are often darker with fewer orange colors on them. They are highly food-motivated species and will follow you around until you hand them the food. Some in the aquarium hobby call this fish the puppy of their tank, playful and smart. ![]() Oscar fish are super smart and can recognize their owners. Because of their large size, not many fish can withstand their aggression so you should only keep them with similar-sized and aggression-level fish. This is especially true when they are in their breeding season. Oscars, like all cichlids, tend to become violent and aggressive toward other fish. This cichlid is now being commercially produced in some countries around the world for the aquarium hobby. They are often found in shallow and slow-moving waters that are slightly cloudy. They can be found in most countries along the Amazon basin. ![]() Oscar Fish are beautiful fish originally from the tropical regions of South America. Common Oscar Fish Diseases & Health Issues. ![]()
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