How Do Oscar Fish Breed? A Detailed Guide to Breeding Methods and Techniques
The overall breeding of Oscar fish is relatively simple. After natural pairing, they will look for a smooth surface, then take turns nibbling it clean before starting to spawn. The number of eggs laid varies from 800 to 2000 depending on the breeding fish, and then the Oscar fish will carefully tend the eggs until they hatch. Let's take a look below at how Oscar fish breed!
Oscar Fish Breeding Time
Generally, when multiple Oscar fish are kept in an aquarium, they will fall for each other and pair up on their own once sexually mature. Simply place the naturally paired brood fish into a breeding tank. They are egg-laying fish, and the brood fish reach sexual maturity at 18 months of age. They can breed multiple times each year, mostly in summer and autumn, and breeding is not difficult.
Distinguishing Male and Female Oscar Fish
Sexing Oscar fish is relatively difficult. Generally speaking, the male has a higher and thicker head, more pointed and elongated dorsal and anal fins, and more numerous and more vivid patches and stripes on its body, while the female has a sturdier body, smaller anal fins, and less brilliant body coloration than the male. The scientific way requires careful observation: distinguish by the genitalia, the male's genitalia is slightly thin and pointed, while the female's genitalia is thick and oval-shaped.
Oscar Fish Breeding Preparation
After maturing, Oscar fish do not range over a very large area. A breeding tank at least 60 cm long, 45 cm wide and 50 cm high is completely sufficient. The main breeding equipment includes a horizontal thermostatic heating tube, an oxygen pump, a filter, a lighting lamp, etc. A smooth marble slab (specification 20 cm × 20 cm × 2 cm) should be placed at the bottom of the aquarium. A hatching tank at least 60 cm long and 40 cm wide is sufficient. At the same time, prepare two tablets of oxytetracycline.
How Oscar Fish Breed
1. Once conditions are met, place the brood fish in. The first breeding process generally takes a relatively long time, possibly 1 to several months! Sexually mature brood fish are quite sensitive to the breeding plate and will often turn themselves upside down to lick the plate with their mouths. Plate-licking is a sign of sexual maturity and they will not necessarily breed right away. Brood fish that are truly about to breed will have their genitalia protrude before breeding, very large, which is quite normal, don't be frightened!
2. The brood fish will nibble out a spawning nest on the slab with their mouths. The female lays eggs on the cleaned stone, and the male then fertilizes them. Before spawning, the female approaches the spawning nest, while the male swims around the female. The breeding process takes about 3 hours!
3. Because brood fish have the habit of swallowing eggs, after breeding, take out the breeding plate and place it in the hatching tank for artificial aeration hatching. At this time the Oscar is very ferocious, be careful not to get bitten! The fertilized eggs hatch into brownish fry after 48 hours, and after 5 to 6 days the fry can begin to swim freely and feed. The first food should be "infusoria", and after 1 week switch to feeding small fish worms.