hi i have had my oscar for a week now he is only small say bout 20cm long, i feed him crickets which he eats no problems because they float , but i am finding when i feed him pellets or mealworms they are just sinking to the bottom occasionaly hell take some pellets, i also have feeder fish which he eats no problems.. so i was just wondering why he wont take the pellets or mealworms when dropped in

some oscars simply have preferences.

also, when you say feeders i assume you mean goldfish or rosies? if so, i would suggest never feeding them again.

1.) contain large amounts of thiamine which breaks down vitamin b1 in oscars therefore giving your O a nutrient deficiancy, i have seen many Os die from this

2.) they are kept in poor conditions and can also harbor a number of diseases

3.) promotes aggression

ok thanks i was just going to wait with these mealworms and let them turn to bugs, and the feeder fish i cant remember exactly what there called but there little light yellow fish with black dots infront of there tails. Also my oscar is shy and i think a little scared when i drop pellets in shall i just persist with them ?

nateone wrote:


a pic would help to identify the feeders... basically all cyprinids (goldfish, koi, carp etc.) contain thiamine.

you can just 'persist' and yes some oscars can be shy but sooner or later he will come around

cheers,
art

thanks alot for your help

sure. feel free to ask any more questions you may have.... that's pretty much what we're here for...

cool, i took those feeder fish out theres 3 left in there i cant catch , im just going to feed pellets for a while

let them be there and they will be gone any time.
perhaps they are small koi.

a varied diet is good for every animal, no matter hwat it is, btu i assume peelts r going 2 be the staple food for yr O so id definatly persist with them to give him other things form time to time, and i def agree with art on the feeder fish issue, Matt

maybee he dont like the mealworms etc....... mine is a picky eater and so are most from time to time

thanks guys i persisted with the pellets and now he is eating them no worries

i am glad to hear it. now jsut keep his diet varied with the pellet as a staple and you have his nutritional needs covered.