I never thought i would keep an Oscar... - Aquarium Advice

JDogg · 01-26-2008, 09:39 AM

ok i have adopted an 6" or so Oscar from a student, her mother was going to throw him out in a snow bank because he was killing the other Oscar in the tank. although i have never been interested in having an Oscar, i could not let him die like that!

now "Diablo" as the girl had named him, is living the life as a science class pet. luckily i had an empty 45 gallon just siting around. gave him some gravel, a couple Terra cotta pots and a few fake plants with weighted bottoms for him to move around the tank.

the first week or so he was very shy, and liked to play dead when anyone come near the tank (with 7 periods of 15-20 kids each, a lot of people walk past the tank

) but he is now adjusting, and showing more and more of his personality. i think we can all agree that as a group cichlids have the most personality, that is why many of us love them, but Diablo becomes more and more like a puppy every day, coming to greet me in the morning when i get to school (feeding time). i have even watched him observing the class while they work. plus the kids like him. knock on wood that he can survive the occasional knock on the glass or pencil in his tank and he will be a good addition to the class.

i am trying to ween him onto a better diet however, and he is coming along with that too. his previous owner feed him feeder goldfish and earthworms. i have switched him to NLS and TetraCichlid sticks

so hopefully he can color up better, and i can avoid the dreaded hole in the head

anyways thanks for reading any suggestions and advice on Oscar is appreciated.

Jchillin · 01-26-2008, 10:15 AM

Commendations and kudos to you JD, not everyone is prepared to adopt an Oscar. The only advice I can give is keep your fingers out of his way.

BrianNY · 01-26-2008, 11:11 AM

Yep, agree with Jchillin. I'm so glad you stopped the feeder goldfish. The potential of introducing a disease to Diablo isn't worth the risk of feeder fish. Keeping the tank clean is about the best you can do for him.

JDogg · 01-26-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jchillin

The only advice I can give is keep your fingers out of his way.

tell me about it, the other day i had my hand in there to take out a pen cap

and i thought he was going to get me

01-26-2008, 09:39 AM	#1
JDogg Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northfield, MN Posts: 2,221 Images: 12	I never thought i would keep an Oscar... ok i have adopted an 6" or so Oscar from a student, her mother was going to throw him out in a snow bank because he was killing the other Oscar in the tank. although i have never been interested in having an Oscar, i could not let him die like that! now "Diablo" as the girl had named him, is living the life as a science class pet. luckily i had an empty 45 gallon just siting around. gave him some gravel, a couple Terra cotta pots and a few fake plants with weighted bottoms for him to move around the tank. the first week or so he was very shy, and liked to play dead when anyone come near the tank (with 7 periods of 15-20 kids each, a lot of people walk past the tank ) but he is now adjusting, and showing more and more of his personality. i think we can all agree that as a group cichlids have the most personality, that is why many of us love them, but Diablo becomes more and more like a puppy every day, coming to greet me in the morning when i get to school (feeding time). i have even watched him observing the class while they work. plus the kids like him. knock on wood that he can survive the occasional knock on the glass or pencil in his tank and he will be a good addition to the class. i am trying to ween him onto a better diet however, and he is coming along with that too. his previous owner feed him feeder goldfish and earthworms. i have switched him to NLS and TetraCichlid sticks so hopefully he can color up better, and i can avoid the dreaded hole in the head anyways thanks for reading any suggestions and advice on Oscar is appreciated. __________________ Follow my adventures into the land of Nano Reefs HERE http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/DSC01648.jpg Last edited by JDogg; 01-26-2008 at 09:41 AM. Reason: spell check

01-26-2008, 10:15 AM	#2
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	Commendations and kudos to you JD, not everyone is prepared to adopt an Oscar. The only advice I can give is keep your fingers out of his way. __________________ _________________________________

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-26-2008, 11:11 AM	#3
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	Yep, agree with Jchillin. I'm so glad you stopped the feeder goldfish. The potential of introducing a disease to Diablo isn't worth the risk of feeder fish. Keeping the tank clean is about the best you can do for him.