oscar considerations

[rainbowman114]

i am very strongly considering getting an oscar after researching them for quite a while. I am worried though because some large oscars i have seen are quite ugly (just IMO, no offense anyone), while some are beautiful. if youve seen a lot of oscars you probably know what im talking about. it seems like most of the smaller ones are pretty but then as they grow bigger some start to look bad. is this just because of bad care? how could i be sure to pick one that will grow up to be not ugly? if i give a good diet, clean water, and vitamin supplements will the oscar most likely end up looking good?

i will probably end up buying a great looking one from a very nice (and expensive) lfs. im willing to pay 30-40 bucks for a good fish. that would obviously increase my chances of getting one that will look good when big, right?

i know that theres obvious answers to all of these questions but if anyone can make any comments based on personal experience with oscars or other large cichlids, it would be great. thanks a lot.

[rainbowman114]

heres some example pictures i found:

great oscars:
http://fins.actwin.com/fresh-pics/albino_oscar.jpg

another good one (i would be happy with this):
http://www.flower-horn.de/Oscar_update/oscar_fish.jpg

i would not be happy with this:
http://www.*****************/images_01/oscar_from_kevin_and_deanna.jpg

i think maybe the albino and the tigers look better than the reds when theyre older. has anyone else noticed this? (obviously theres exceptions to every rule, but i mean just in general.)

[Coler]

ask suppliers to put you in touch with other owners locally; see if you like their grown Oscars and if so buy from the same suppliers.

personally I think that as they get bigger they just lose their cuteness quotient and turn into big ugly buggers :) Assuming we arn't talking about a stunted fish, or one with hole in the head or other disease, this is just the look of the fish and not down to bad care.

Good diet, clean water, the right size tank & good filtration will keep your fish looking great. Vitamin supplements arn't necessary if the diet is right.

edit : bring your pics to the LFS and show 'em what you want. Those pics look like pretty standard Albino & Tiger O's so I would think you won't have a problem finding them. Of them all I prefer the Tigers, don't like the Albinos, could take or leave the Reds.

[rainbowman114]

good ideas, thanks.

maybe i should just get a buttikoferi? they seem to be more consistently attractive when large. ive read that they have similar personalties, except they like to kill other fish. i would be keeping it alone if i got one.

[Coler]

all I know about them (buttikoferi) is you want a 55 minimum, preferably bigger and (as you already know) they will murder anything else you put in the tank...v cool fish to keep though, I gather.

[aoscar]

butti's are awesome, used to have a 12"er now I am growing anathor out, if keeping 1 fish solo , I say go butti.

[rainbowman114]

i think i found a solution in yellow/gold oscars. they are beautiful!

hopefully i will be able to find one...

[rainbowman114]

also what about green terrors? is their personality similar to that of an oscar?

[Coler]

lol I believe they are aptly named as regards personality.

[MbunaFishKeeper]

i would say that is pretty obvious that keeping the oscars in a good enviornment, giving them a healthy diet, keeping the tank clean and well filtered will help. but i think its down to the family of oscars, some may be born in a good looking family of oscars where others may not. it may be a case of finding a good batch of fish that you like.

[scott-kim]

I wouldnt suggest putting a green terror with a "show" oscar unless you have a huge tank. Blue acara look similair but arnt as agressive
More suitable tankmates might be severums or Vieja sp
Viejas dont come from the same water chem as oscars but if you keep it neutral and not too soft theyll be fine
Some Vieja get huge - argentea would be my recommendation

[Rbishop]

I find good looking Oscars quite the norm.