Oscar and colors

[jlw82]

I'm noticing that most of the O's in the pet stores are really lacking color... Most of the Tiger O's are light brown/grey where the black should be and a cream color where the orange should be... The Red O's seem to be a brown or green... My question (especially regarding Tigers) is will the color turn the vibrant colors I have seen?... The person at the LFS said it is hard to find great colors now because of the mass/poor quality breeding that the light drab colors are hereditary.... Is this so?... I would like a TIger for my 90gallon but can't find one with nice colors...

Cheers

 

[Rbishop]

Locate breeders and buy on-line.

 

[tonytheboss1]

Could be the wholesaler your LFS deals w/ is stuck w/ a drab lot. (still gotta try to get rid of them). Try branching out from the local dealers. (most have the same wholesalers). Maybe check some clubs or shows where breeders have choice stock. Online is another option but you're really kinda buying in the blind. Just some thoughts. Good luck, "T"

 

[TML29]

I agree with tonytheboss. Your LFS or any LFS for that matter would say anything to sell some fish to you. 90% of the oscars I've seen around here (I check them out every time although I always visit the stores for something else) have vibrant colors. Only the ones with nice patterns are harder to come by. My oscars change their colors from time to time depending on their mood (scared, tired, happy etc.). When I do water changes, my oscars, especially the tiger will turn into this grey fish (poor guy) since he's scared of my hand and the big tube. However, when he has something to play with, you cannot get get something more black or orange than he is. So generally speaking, when they feel safe and entertained, their colors look a lot better. Therefore it's really the matter of how you take care of you fish.

 

[monkey_toes]

I'm noticing that most of the O's in the pet stores are really lacking color... Most of the Tiger O's are light brown/grey where the black should be and a cream color where the orange should be... The Red O's seem to be a brown or green... My question (especially regarding Tigers) is will the color turn the vibrant colors I have seen?... The person at the LFS said it is hard to find great colors now because of the mass/poor quality breeding that the light drab colors are hereditary.... Is this so?... I would like a TIger for my 90gallon but can't find one with nice colors...

Cheers

Quick question: How large are the fish you're looking at?

 

[aoscar]

if they are juvies, their color will come with age and commercial store lights are not made to bring out the colors of fish

 

[bluekiller82]

In my opinion tiger oscars get alot more color as they grow. Common oscars dont really have much color and are drab, black with light brown/orange colors.
Here are some pics of some O's i had a few years ago. Photo quality isnt the greatest.

April 2004

May 2004

July 2004

Sept. 2004

Feb. 2005