| · Omnivorous ((om niv 'er es), eating both plant and animal) cichlids make up the greatest majority of cichlids. In nature, these fish feed mostly on insects, crustaceans, and worms, but at times also eat plants. Thus in aquaria these species should be offered a mixed diet of live foods, flakes foods, and plant or vegetable matter. Examples of omnivorous cichlids include Cichlasomines, many West African species, Angelfish, and Heros species. · Carnivorous ((kar niv 'er es), flesh eating.) cichlids are predatory species which are specialized for eating other fish. Generally these species will eat small tank mates, although not fish of a similar size. In aquaria, carnivorous cichlids can be fed live fish, worms, insects, insect larvae, and crustaceans, but also some will accept pellets, tablets, and large flakes. Examples of carnivorous cichlids are many Haplochromines, Pike Cichlids (genus Crenicichla), and Cyphotilapia species. · Herbivorous cichlids are species that prefer to feed on plant matter. These fish will eat live aquarium plants. In aquaria, herbivorous cichlids feed on plant-based flake and pellet foods, plants, and vegetables. Some species will also feed on live foods. Examples of herbivorous cichlids include some Tilapia species. · Pisciviors fish eating |
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| Oscars are inteiligent and sometimes aggresive. I believe an Oscars' aggressive anti-social beligerant behavior is a by product of their feeding and mating habits. This believe is the reason i seperated this into two sections. BREEDING or Pun-Far Aggressive conduct can be attributed to cichlids' highly developed brood care and reproductive behavior. During mate selection, Oscars carry out a physical mating ritual. It generally begins with a pair of Oscars "spending time together". Following this, the Oscars begin the more elaborate portion of their ritual. The Oscars will attempt to test the strength and hardiness of their potential mate. A pair of fish will generally lock lips, and have something of a tug of war. Each will attempt to dislodge the other one. A lip lock between the two fish can last for hours. If one fails the test, the stronger may kill the weaker. At some point, one of the fish will dislodge. Either prior to the lip lock or just after the Oscars will engage in some tail slapping and rubbing up against each other. In doing so, the two fish will have formed a "bond" and will remain together exclusively, until after the fry have been born. This bond seems to be of a nuclear famly nature. A nuclear or Parental Family is both parents equally shareing the duties of caring for the young and is generally very difficult to distinguish between the sexes. Once the eggs have been fertilized, the parents will take turns guarding the eggs. Occasionally, the parents may move the eggs from one location to another. Eggs which become infected with fungus may be eaten by the parents or One of the parents may consume the eggs should a threat be perceived. The parent who ate the eggs or fry may then be attacked by the other parent and also killed. Although an excellent method to insure the viability of future generations, it does present very aggressive behavior. When the eggs hatch, the young will feed off of the remnants of the egg. Oscars do not secrete any componds for food as do other cichlids. The fry are left to fend for themselves. However, both parents participate in brood care and may become aggressive towards other fish while caring for the eggs and the fry. Parents will swim with the young in a school. Wayward young who leave the school are usually herded back or swallowed and "spit" back into the school. Eventually, the fry that survive will grow and consume similar foods as the parents. Only healthy fish survive the mating. Any unhealthy eggs are destroyed. Only healthy fry are able to find there own food. Thus, through natural selection, Oscars are a very hearty fish with the side effect of being aggressive. FEEDING Most cichlids have an enormous appetite and are easily fed. Oscars are voracious eaters and are both omnivorous and piscivorus. Omnivorous (eating both plants and animals) cichlids feed mostly on insects, crustaceans, and worms, but at times also eat plants. Carnivorous cichlids are predatory species which are specialized for eating other fish (pisciviorus). Generally these species will eat small tank mates, although not fish of a similar size. In other words Oscars will eat most anything that will fit in there mouths. Oscars are also easly put into a feeding frenzy. Dodgeing and flurying about when hungary. once they assacoate food with a certain color they will attack anything else with that color when hunger strikes. The light inside the heater for example. The same aplies to shapes. Once they relaize there are feeders in the plastic bag they usualy nip the bag.I noticed Oscars also become more active during a certain time if feeding occurs at that certain time same time of day. |
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