I had a friend stop by to feed the O's while we were away for Christmas holiday. O's wouldn't come feed - rather they hid in their favorite resting spot in the tank - behind some bogwood. The friend who came over is quite knowledgeable about fish so he walked away from the tank and observed them - they came out to eat after he stepped away.

Had some friends over - thought the friend would get a kick out of feeding the O's - friend approached the tank in a slow, quiet manner; yet again, they hid. I went up to the tank not seconds later and they eagerly came out to eat.... wiggling and wagging at the surface.

Maybe they do in fact recognize me:) I'll at least think that..... helps justify the $$ I spend on these little buggers.

I believe Oscars recognize their owners, especially who feeds them.

It goes to show they at least have the intelligance of a smart dog.

I agree..My Oscars react differently to different people.. they always come to see me. happy and excited.

My dad walks in the house, and they know he will put his fingers in the tank so they can bite him..(he is odd, I know)

Hubby walks up and they tip sideways to get a better look at him.. they will not eat if he helps feed.

They know.

Not only do they react to you, but they also know how to beg for food. Everytime I go near the tank they great me... When they decide its time to beg for food though, they act differently in that they will follow me even quicker around the tank, and will chomp their jaws at me as if to say 'feed me, its been years since I had food'.

You may have seen this pic but just in case... The small tank on the left currently has my 2 O's in it. The larger tank on the right has 2 dozen feeders in it helping to cycle the tank. There has been 1 and only 1 occassion where we have taken 2 feeders out of the big tank and fed them to the O's. Starting last night, whenever we go near the big tank, the O's are flipping out on the side of their little tank that faces the big one! Swimming up and down the wall, wiggling their little tails, splashing the top! It is freaking hilarious!

They learn quick and they know exactly what is in that tank and WHO can get it for them!!

MeghanR wrote:


I'm sure they do...but keep in mind if you were shrunk down to one inch tall and fell in there, they might also still recognize you, but well, you'd be lunch.

Johnnyphoenix - that is hilarious!

MeghanR wrote:


true, though...

a morbid thought - but I've always believed if you died alone in your house; your faithful dog would stay by your side and die too. If you had cats, they'd eat you. Guess the oscars are more like cats than dogs

MeghanR wrote:


Well, keep in mind, Oscars are interesting fish in alot of ways...but don't forget...

They have an outer layer of protein polysaccharides, and have a funny habit of shedding their cells and replacing them with polarized silicon, which gives them a prolonged resistance to adverse environmental conditions. They've also adapted remarkably well to our atmosphere considering its nutritional requirements. Basically, their structural perfection is matched only by their hostility, and in a more primeval way; they can't be bargained with, can't be reasoned with, they don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear, and they absolutely will not stop. They'll fight if they have to, but they're vulnerable out in the open. If they take us over, then they have no more enemies, nobody left to kill them. And then they've won.

I can't lie to you about your chances, but... you have my sympathies. Good luck.

ROTFLMFAO