Please help me sort out a feeding regiment for my new oscar from 1 inch to adult!
- Thread starter wormtail
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- oscar oscar care oscar feeding
All oscars start out similar to that, and will change with maturity depending on how set the red genes have been inbred.
As an example of how may cichlids begin as juvies, above is a Paratilapia andapa.
Below is what it matures into.
As an example of how may cichlids begin as juvies, above is a Paratilapia andapa.
Below is what it matures into.
You have gotten a lot of great advice from very experienced members here. I am just going to say a few things I think may be helpful. No, I do not think the tank is too big for a young one. Your choice of plastic plants in the meantime may help it feel more safe and settle in, but they aren't necessary long term.
If your goal is to grow out as big of an oscar as possible for it's individual genetics, I believe you will want the biggest tank you can get for it. Years ago, I asked a hobbyist from Australia, who raised giant wild oscars from Peru what his advice was. The main thing I remember him telling me was that you want an 8 foot tank and lots of water changes. I personally believe in frequent smaller feedings when they are younger. My thoughts behind this is that it allows the fish to digest the food and absorb the maximum amount of nutrients rather than crapping out undigested nutrients that will in turn foul up the water. The key here is efficiency. I believe smaller frequent feedings like 3-6 times a day as an example can increase metabolism much like how bodybuilders eat with frequent smaller meals to put on muscle.
Another thing about the water to consider is harmful bacteria, fungus and parasites. You want to avoid this if your goal is to raise a large fish. The best medicine in my experience is preventative medicine (I have a background in military medicine and currently work in Microbiology). When your fish has to use calories fighting such things, it is not growing to its maximum potential, so just keep that in mind regarding medication, maintenance and food choices.
just an update on the little fella. Hes been with me 3 days now. He wouldnt eat the first day, spent the whole day lieing on his side right at the edge of the tank. Yesterday and today, he has been eating well. But only sinking pellets dropped literally right infront of him, as he does not like leaving the corner of the tank. He is no longer constantly lieing down however which i call a win. He does just sort of float in that corner though, not exploring. Its pretty difficult getting the food to float directly too him lmao, really looking forward to when hes confident enough to eat floating food, and to activly hunt the pellets down. Here are some more pics of him, im thinking of creating a new thread, for anyone interested in following his journey (that il keep updated with updates and pics of him as he grows). Would anyone be interested in that, should i make it?
A lot of us keep fish journals here. I have with my Amphilophus saggitae
My pink convict
Even my Sun Conure Phoenix
So yes we love fish journals here, please do make one so we can watch the little monster grow.
In this thread I will be keeping track of my group of five Amphilophus Sagittae. I got them from Jeff Rapps. They are about two inches long now. They will be living with a group of nine swordtails.
The tank is a 6ft long 125gal with an FX4 and an Aqua Clear 110 for filtration, also an Eheim heater and air pump. Tank has gravel substrate with some rocks and driftwood.
I started them from the get go on NLS. They are eating it with gusto so that's great. At the moment they are getting fifty percent Ultra Red, twenty-five percent each algeamax and normal.
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The tank is a 6ft long 125gal with an FX4 and an Aqua Clear 110 for filtration, also an Eheim heater and air pump. Tank has gravel substrate with some rocks and driftwood.
I started them from the get go on NLS. They are eating it with gusto so that's great. At the moment they are getting fifty percent Ultra Red, twenty-five percent each algeamax and normal.
...My pink convict
Even my Sun Conure Phoenix
Well after years of dreaming, It finally comes to reality
Spent three hours with him/her today. Three to four weeks it can come home.
Spent three hours with him/her today. Three to four weeks it can come home.
So yes we love fish journals here, please do make one so we can watch the little monster grow.
oooh cheers, il set one up then! lovely parrot btw, iv allways thought they would be a cool pet, it is a parrot right? or a bird of paradise? Does yours talk?A lot of us keep fish journals here. I have with my Amphilophus saggitae
In this thread I will be keeping track of my group of five Amphilophus Sagittae. I got them from Jeff Rapps. They are about two inches long now. They will be living with a group of nine swordtails.
The tank is a 6ft long 125gal with an FX4 and an Aqua Clear 110 for filtration, also an Eheim heater and air pump. Tank has gravel substrate with some rocks and driftwood.
I started them from the get go on NLS. They are eating it with gusto so that's great. At the moment they are getting fifty percent Ultra Red, twenty-five percent each algeamax and normal.
My pink convict
Even my Sun Conure Phoenix
Well after years of dreaming, It finally comes to reality
Spent three hours with him/her today. Three to four weeks it can come home.
So yes we love fish journals here, please do make one so we can watch the little monster grow.
Yes he is a parrot. He is from the Conure species. One of the smallest of the parrots with a full on macaw type beak. Conure are not known to be heavy talkers, more better at coping noises.
