Mellow Cichlids: A Primer

**Northernguy** · 11-12-2008, 08:08 PM

I feel better now,Thank you!
Thats what I thought about live food in a tank.Besides the fact that it pollutes the water the way an Oscar eats.

**ILuvMyGoldBarb** · 11-12-2008, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by Dave66

I posted not to feed them live fish because there is truly no need for it, and abuse of it kills Oscars every day. Oscars can live for more than 25 years so why would you want to roll the dice with live fish?
I post nothing in my primers casually.

Dave

That may all be true, but to word it as you did, it sounds like you are saying feeding them live feeders at all will cause this. To be fair to the topic there needs to be full disclosure of information. As we have agreed on, a diet of nothing but feeders or even daily or weekly does cause the problems you have mentioned, however to present it as though feeding feeders at all causes those problems is just not accurate. People need to be able to make decisions for themselves on what they will choose to feed their fish, and to do so, they should have all pertinent information on the subject. People considering feeding Oscars feeder fish not only need to know that those problems can arise, but they need to know under what conditions they will arise.

**Red** · 11-12-2008, 11:46 PM

Great post dave thanks!!

**Dave66** · 11-13-2008, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by ILuvMyGoldBarb

That may all be true, but to word it as you did, it sounds like you are saying feeding them live feeders at all will cause this. To be fair to the topic there needs to be full disclosure of information. As we have agreed on, a diet of nothing but feeders or even daily or weekly does cause the problems you have mentioned, however to present it as though feeding feeders at all causes those problems is just not accurate. People need to be able to make decisions for themselves on what they will choose to feed their fish, and to do so, they should have all pertinent information on the subject. People considering feeding Oscars feeder fish not only need to know that those problems can arise, but they need to know under what conditions they will arise.

I agree, GB, but a separate article is necessary for such a subject, with empiric data to back it up. It's beyond the scope of my primers to really go into great depth on particulars like that. Perhaps an article on proper feeding, and sources of, live fish would be a good idea?
I said don't because erring on the side of caution, especially for the vast numbers of newer keepers on the forum in my mind better than saying you can, but be careful because, etc. The upshot is if you feed them live fish too often, the Oscars can get sick and die from it. If, as I said, they don't feed live fish, properly kept and fed prepared and frozen foods, Oscars can live long and healthy lives.

Dave