Oscars may be really a cool option for your personal aquarium. I have a few of them, and I feel they are fairly easy to nurture. However, they tend to be a little picky about their meals. When you own Oscars, you have to be a little bit careful about feeding them the healthiest foods. You cannot expect them to love just flakes that you can easily through into the tank.
Important Facts about Oscar Fish
Those who are having Oscar fish may have so many questions in mind about their food habits. I have been raising Oscar fishes from the past few years, and it has been an incredible experience. Here I have answered a few important questions that people often ask me about these lovely fishes.
How do I feed Oscar Fish when going on vacation?
If you are moving out for a short vacation, like two-three days, there is not so much to feel worried about. However, if your vacation plans are longer, you can either ask someone in the neighborhood to feed or use good quality feeder block. These feeder blocks release fish food slowly and automatically.
There are two common options: vacation feeder blocks and weekend feeder blocks. The first one can serve your Oscar fish for around two weeks, and the latter is suitable for 2-3 days. Make sure you check manufacturer recommendations before buying one; they usually come with validity ratings and can be filled with a variety of slow-releasing fish food.
Are homemade foods a good idea?
Yes, of course. I prefer to use homemade food for my Oscar because it is a bit cheaper and I have full freedom to choose ingredients. You can create the best mixture with all healthy nutrients to nurture your fish. Although Oscar fishes are omnivorous in nature, their diet mainly includes meaty food.
I recommend choosing whitefish, bloodworms, and shrimp meat to keep them healthy. But if you don’t want to make your fish used to homemade food only, try some products from the market also. I prefer to keep pellets and flakes at home to feed them from time to time. You may also find some liquid vitamin boosters online or at a local pet store.
How long can Oscar fish live without food?
A healthy Oscar fish do not demand food so frequently. However, the actual duration of their survival depends upon the age and size of the fish. The juvenile one can stay without feeding for almost two weeks, whereas the adult one can go for around four weeks.
How to choose Oscar fish food?
Since Oscar fishes are omnivorous creatures, you can have plenty of food options to include in their diet. While living in the wild, they prefer eating larvae, small fishes, insects, and crustaceans. The one living in the aquarium can be fed on store-bought pellets or flake foods.
I prefer to prepare their food at home to ensure the inclusion of a range of nutrients. For live foods, you can choose daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. I also prefer to feed them with some green vegetables, fruits, and nuts available in the kitchen.
How to feed Oscar fish?
Oscars are gluttons; these fishes may consume as much food they can stuff in their body. As they are ravenous feeders, even beginners can care for their food habits with ease. The juvenile ones must be fed two-three times a day. Make sure you offer them a small amount of feed every time.
The subadults, between the 4 to 6-inch size range, are comfortable with the alternative feeding schedule. I prefer to feed my subadult Oscar twice a day, followed by just once in the next day. The adults on the other side may require food every other day.
Top Food Recommendations for Oscar Fish
Here I have listed a few commonly available foods from the market that you can choose for your Oscar fish.
1- Hikari Cichlid Gold Large Pellets:
This product contains all vital vitamins and nutrients that may support fish immunity. I really appreciate the way it ward-off over-feeding and make an outstanding daily diet. The superior protein content and balanced nutrition result in a steadier growth rate for Oscar fish. The vitamin C content promises fast and healthy growth of the fish.
The floating pallets make it pretty simple to monitor how much food is already consumed by the fish. Moreover, the brilliant natural colors do not cloud tank water. You may expect a long healthy life for your fish with this balanced diet. I find this special treat a great choice for my large aquarium.
Pros:
- This fish food allows the effortless monitoring of consumed food.
- I prefer it more since it is packed with stabilized vitamin C, which boosts fish immunity.
- It contains enough content of beta carotene and NS germ. This stuff helps to increase the brightness and natural coloration of Oscars.
- This fish food is believed to extend the overall lifespan of your Oscar fish.
- Doesn’t affect water clarity in the tank. I find it easier to maintain my aquarium with this food.
Cons:
- You have to invest comparatively more to buy this food product.
- I do not find it much appetizing to most of my fishes.
2- TetraCichlid Floating Cichlid Sticks
Oscars are intelligent creatures that can be trained more like a dog and may adapt to the unique lifestyles. The process of feeding Oscars become totally painless with these specially formulated food sticks. This pack contains protein-loaded flakes that can be used with large or medium fish feeders.
The pack is loaded with all essential nutrients that promise healthy growth and sustainable life for your fish. I prefer them for by Oscars since it supports long life and vitality with a balanced diet. The pro-care formula supports the healthy functionality of the immune system. Furthermore, the clear-water formula makes it a simple choice for busy fish owners. You can have a clearer aquarium with less waste inside.
Pros:
- It is designed as a staple food for serving top and middle Oscar feeders.
- Promise a prolonged lifespan for your pet fish.
- The biotin content of this fish food is more useful since it supports a healthy metabolism.
- It contains a well-rounded diet to serve the daily feeding needs of your fish.
- It is loaded with all valuable nutrients and vitamins to promote healthy fish growth.
Cons
- It May not appear much satisfying to grown-up Oscar fishes.
- I find them a little bit messy.
3- Aqueon Monster Fish Medley Food
Oscar fishes can be satisfied with a well-rounded diet; otherwise, they may find it difficult to survive. This fish food product can be a good choice since it is loaded with a complete nutrient-packed diet. It includes river shrimps and mealworms that are always loved by Oscars. Once you start using this food product, you will find your fish very enthusiastic about eating feed every time.
This stuff is just perfect for picky eaters like Oscars due to its bold flavors. The food is freeze-dried and works as a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. I prefer this food because it contributes to healthy immune system development. You will observe increasing coloration and the proper growth of your fish with this feed. It may work as an all-natural meal, supplement, and snack for your Oscar.
Pros:
- It contains freeze-dried river shrimps and mealworms.
- Provides convenient and effortless feeding with a resealable zip-lock package.
- The food floats on the water surface so that Oscars can consume it easily.
- It may act as a supplement and primary diet as well.
- Rich source of vitamins, minerals and proteins.
Cons:
- The pack contains lesser shrimps and more mealworms.
- It releases some awful smell, which is difficult to bear for humans.
4- Tetra BabyShrimp Sun Dried Gammarus
When you are looking for something that could instantly satisfy your Oscar fish, this freeze-dried feed may be a good choice. This nutritious, balanced fish food serves aggressive Oscar fish species with large floating sticks. If you want to improve the digestion of your fish, this sun-dried freshwater shrimp loaded feed may serve better. The great thing is that these shrimps also have shells; hence, they provide extra nutrients to your Oscar.
The feed includes 6.5 percent crude fiber, 44 percent protein, and 6 percent crude fat content. Other than this, it contains rich vitamin C content with 0.9 percent phosphorus. This combination may help your fish to enjoy well-performing immune health. The pro-care formula works for the overall health management of your pet fish.
Pros:
- As it serves shrimps as a whole, your fish will get a higher level of roughage. Ultimately, the pet Oscar will suffer less constipation or blockage.
- It promotes fish immune health by a considerable level with a rich vitamin C intake.
- It is loaded with rich crude protein content, which is helpful in growing healthy fish.
- The baby shrimps included in this package are easier to digest for your fish.
Cons:
- If your fish is not used to shrimp, it may refuse the eat at first. You may need to introduce this diet slowly.
5- Wardley Shrimp Pellet Fish Food
This pellet formula is loaded with a nutrition-rich blend of ingredients, which also includes shrimps for your Oscar. It is widely preferred for bottom feeders since pellets sink down in the tank and bottom feeders a find them easy to enjoy a balanced diet. However, the larger Oscar fishes equally love these pellets, with shrimp being the main ingredient. Since this feed is rich in fat and protein content, you will observe the healthy growth of your pet fish.
The stabilized form of vitamin C and rich anti-oxidant content extend support to the immunity. Furthermore, it is made up without any artificial color or dye; hence, you will find aquarium water crystal clear.
Pros:
- I love the way pellets are stored in this product jar. They are easier to use and can be sealed again to maintain flavor so long.
- An ideal formula for appropriate growth of Oscars with balanced protein content.
- It is loaded with vitamin C and promises healthy immune system performance.
Cons:
- The pellets may appear big to your juvenile and sub-adult fishes.
- After breaking down, these pellets pollute tank water.
6- Cobalt Aquatics Shrimp Pellet
I feel that this formula is developed by considering specific fish requirements in mind. It cares about the overall health of the fish while ensuring vibrant colors and optimal digestion. Also, as this food creates lesser waste, you will be able to enjoy a clean and healthy aquarium. This is basically a supplemental sinking food that offers an economical solution to fish owners.
Generally, it could not be considered as the only diet for your fish. As the food lacks in terms of essential fibers, fats, proteins, and vitamins, you should club it with other meals to ensure a balanced diet. The main ingredients of this Oscar food are sourced from Canada and the United States. Hence, you can trust its highest standards, which makes an excellent diet for Oscars.
Pros:
- These pellets produce lesser waste; you need not clean your aquarium time and again.
- Trusted probiotic formula that can promote digestive system of your pet Oscar fish leading to a happy and healthy life.
- Pellets are loaded with vitamins and nutrients to promote healthy development.
- I find it an excellent supplement for my Oscar fish’s balanced feeding plan.
Cons:
- The small pellets may be lost on the bottom of the tank, and your tiny fishes may not be able to find them.
Conclusion
I have tried all these products and have experienced all their pros and cons while raising my Oscar fishes. Above all, I recommend Hikari Cichlid Gold Large Pellets as one of the most trusted solutions for Oscar fishes. It is a rich source of nutrients, vitamins, and proteins which promotes immune health and increases the overall lifespan of Oscar fishes. Furthermore, it doesn’t cause discoloration of tank water.
I prefer to pair this feed with the homemade foods for the healthy grown of my Oscars. For my juvenile Oscars, I provide this feed once in a day. However, for the adult ones, I prefer to give it once in two days with the regular homemade food intake. This filling feed helps me to ensure a proper diet for Oscars even when I move out for weekend trips.
