Quality Oscar: What to look for?

[dbcb314]

I really really like oscars. Both the looks and the personalities and I plan on getting on when my tank is ready. I have been around them before with friends but never kept my own.

However, the hobby seems infiltrated with ugly, disformed-looking oscars. Huge under bites, weird body shapes, ect.


So, what should a good, quality oscar look like? What are some traits to look for in a young-ish oscar? Should I/we look at their wild counterparts and expect the same from the standard Red/Tiger/Albinos?

 

[honda237]

get F1s from rapps, i believe they are in stock now. i've always wanted a F1 oscar for some reason.
I must have lucked out with mine, he is 14" with out any deformities and is a stunning red oscar.

 

[leather]

Sounds like you already know what you are looking for. Also look for energy and attention in the tank, don't get the guy laying in the corner, get the one out front begging like a puppy. There are a lot of ugly oscars out there. I don't know why, if it is inbreeding or what. One recommendation I can give is look for healthy big trade ins, thats how I got most of my oscars. I know a couple of stores around here take oscars that have outgrown their owner's tanks. Then you need to be more worried about HITH and other health issues. I usually stop in a couple times over a couple of days to see how they act, and check their heads for evidence of neglect.

 

[dbcb314]

ttt

 

[BODYDUB]

Color, shape, and apperance. It's really no different from picking any other fish..........

 

[Noddy]

Color, shape, and apperance. It's really no different from picking any other fish..........

x2, take your time and check out the tank they're in.
Do the other fish look healthy?
Go for the personality you like .
I went back to the LFS several days in a row, to see if i'd choose the same oscar everytime, for i knew he may be around for many years to come.
I even took pics of him at the LFS