Need some info from Oscar lovers

[breakspirit]

Hey guys, my 125 gallon tank is currently cycling and I'm planning its occupants carefully. I know I'll be getting an Oscar, though, and need some info.

First, are there basically only 2 "styles" of Oscars? I've only ever seen albino and tiger Oscars.

Second, are certain Oscars smarter than others? For me, their intelligence is their best feature. I'm just concerned that maybe albino Oscars may not be as intelligent as a tiger Oscar due to inbreeding or whatever. I have no idea why they're albino I guess and that bothers me.

Lastly, I also plan to get an electric blue jack dempsey and I've been told that the Oscar will grow much faster. So, would it be wise to get the ebjd first and then get the oscar some time later when the ebjd will be a decent size so as not to get tormented and eaten as a baby?

Sorry for so many questions, thanks a lot for any answers

 

[bob965]

The ones labeled as albino are usually actually leucistic, meaning they produce orange/red/yellow colors, just not the darker pigments. There are common oscars, true albinos, leucistic in both plain, and tiger variations, tigers, reds, plus long-finned or veiltail variations of the above. There are also a few wild-caught types that you can find if you look hard enough. There are probably a bunch that I missed, but those are the pretty common ones.

As far as intelligence, I have not noticed any correlation with color. Oscar personalities can vary greatly with each individual regardless of the type. Most of the behavior we interpret as intelligence is actually just begging for food anyway.

I wanted the same combo awhile back, and after researching it, I decided against it. Besides the difference in growth rates, the ebjd has the potential to be bullied and harassed to death even if they are the same size. A fishkeeper with a lot of experience with ebjd's told me to think of them more like a discus than a standard jd. I can only give you this information secondhand though, as I have not kept one myself.

Oh, I almost forgot about the most highly-sought after, elusive, and desireable oscar of all....the BLUEBERRY!!!

 

[bob965]

just kidding, don't buy dyed fish.

 

[CTU2fan]

There are several color varieties. Wild, red, tiger, albino red, albino tiger, lemon, lutino. And longfin/veiltail in all colors except wild strain. There's also the mentioned blueberry and bloody red but I'm thinking those colors are artificial.

Some are maybe smarter than others, or at least behave "smarter", but you can't tell by the color variety. Theoretically you might be better off with a wild strain as it should have stronger genetics because it's not line-bred like the domestic strains.

If you want an EBJD get the jack first and grow it out to a decent size before adding an oscar.

 

[breakspirit]

Thanks for the info guys. Are the wild strain ones sold at local fish stores?

 

[ceeej31]

Thanks for the info guys. Are the wild strain ones sold at local fish stores?

not usually, the wilds may occasionally be found in lfs but you generally have to look a little harder for wilds

 

[CTU2fan]

Yep, it really depends. They may be able to order them for you.

 

[Ang]

There are several color varieties. Wild, red, tiger, albino red, albino tiger, lemon, lutino. And longfin/veiltail in all colors except wild strain. There's also the mentioned blueberry and bloody red but I'm thinking those colors are artificial.
.

that's right. the "blueberry" oscars are dyed. dipped in a sort of acid to strip slime coat then dipped in dye. Or injected with dye from needles.

Some of the "Bloody Red" oscars i have seen look genuine, but to my knowledge you can't buy them here in the states.. I would be suspicious at best if i saw bright red oscars for sale. (as in BRIGHT red, with no other color)


AS for intelligence. It depends on the one you get. Just look at them carefully in the pet store. Choose the most lively active fish. And see if they will feed it for you there at the store to evaluate them better.

Wild caught could be more intelligent. But i'm pretty sure there havent been any studies on the matter.
Certainly color strain has nothing to do with it.

 

[Deaths Sting]

 

[fishy12]

I wish i wlda got wilds before my tigers i love there color!