Buyer question
Are Oscar freshwater fish good for beginners?
Usually not: our Animal Library rates the Oscar freshwater fish 2 out of 5 for beginners (outgrows most setups).
Source: the Oscar freshwater fish page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Oscar freshwater fish in the Animal Library
The detail
Oscars are large, intelligent cichlids from the Amazon basin that recognize their owners and beg at the glass. They are often called wet pets for their personality, but they grow to a foot or more and are messy eaters.
- Best fit
- Keepers wanting one big fish
- Hardiness
- 4 out of 5 (Hardy)
What to weigh
Oscars need big tanks and heavy filtration, and they rearrange décor. They will eat any fish that fits in their mouth.