Oscar fish are quite popular in the aquarist trade. As a type of South American cichlid, this large freshwater fish is highly intelligent by aquarium fish standards. But the question remains, just how smart are they – can they be trained to recognize their owners and do tricks like other pets?
Oscars are one of the smartest in terms of aquarium fish. This species can recognize its owner and be taught to jump out of the water and take food out of your hand! Oscars can even be trained to play with a ping-pong ball, swim through a hoop, or follow your finger.
Now that you know you can train Oscar fish, let’s explore this topic further. Together we’ll discover how to train this species, if Oscars like to play with toys, which aquarium fish are the smartest, and if Oscars are considered friendly.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about Oscar fish intelligence and their playful behavior in captivity, then please continue reading…
How Intelligent are Oscar Fish?
Oscar fish are so intelligent that they can even be trained. An aquarist once wrote that he hooked up a bell just above the waterline of his Oscar tank. After each feeding, he’d ring the bell and eventually, the fish ‘got the hang of it’ and would splash the bell with water to make it ring whenever they were hungry!
How do You Play with an Oscar Fish?
Oscars can interact with their owners like any other pets. Ping-pong balls, for example, make excellent ‘toys’ for Oscars. Place the ball in the tank and watch the fish push it through the water. Add floating plants to the tank for extra enrichment – observe as your Oscar swims among the greenery with delight.
Does My Oscar Fish Know Me?
Yes, Oscars are very intelligent and can recognize their owners. They’ll swim faster and closer to the aquarium glass or surface of the tank when you walk by. Bonding with your pet Oscar is possible, it just takes time and patience. Interacting with them throughout the day is key to response and recognition.
How to Train Your Oscar Fish to do Tricks?
To train your Oscars, begin by placing your finger on the outside of the tank near the fish to get its attention. Once it notices you, reward it with an edible treat. You can also place your finger in the water (if you feel comfortable doing so) and see if the fish swims up to it. If it does, then give it some food.
Next, try to get your fish to follow to your finger by moving it back and forth across the glass on the outside the tank. If your fish responds by swimming in tandem with your hand movements, then reward it with a small serving of food. Wiggle your fingers to start and help draw their attention to you.
Repetition and reward are the keys to training your Oscar fish. Use cichlid pellets instead of regular fish food as your food treat. That way, your fish will learn to associate this specific edible as the reward for responding to you. Practice daily and before long, you’ll notice your Oscar fish interacting with you.
How to Train Your Oscar Fish to Jump through Hoops?
One of the coolest tricks you can teach your pet is to jump through a hoop, whether it be a dog, cat, or fish! Yes, believe it or not, Oscar fish can be taught to swim through a hoop inside an aquarium. To begin training, simply follow the 10 steps outlined below:
- Get a hoop that’s large enough for your fish to swim through easily without getting stuck.
- Use a bracelet or fashion a hoop out of pipe cleaners – if you can’t find a premade one to suit your fish.
- Clean the hoop thoroughly beforehand to ensure no bacteria gets into the tank water.
- If you don’t want to place your hand in the tank to hold the hoop, then tie it to a rooted plant or pole secured in the substrate.
- Ensure the hoop is perpendicular to the side of the aquarium near the glass to make it easier to direct your fish.
- Get your fish to follow your finger and through the hoop – it may take multiple attempts before your fish successfully swims through it.
- Once your fish swims through the hoop, reward it with a food treat.
- Practice the trick daily and as soon as your fish masters it, decrease the size of the hoop to make it more challenging.
- As soon as your fish masters the smaller hoop, try adding more hoops to swim through.
- This trick is designed for a tank with a single Oscar or mated pair, not a community tank with lots of fish.
Are Oscar Fish Friendly?
Oscar fish are friendly in terms of interacting with their owners. They’ll actively swim about when you enter the room and even follow your finger as you move it back and forth across the aquarium glass. Interacting and/or bonding with your pet Oscar is very possible by way of both practice and patience.
Though Oscars are friendly with their human keepers, they’re not so friendly towards their tankmates. Any fish that dare enter an Oscar’s space will be chased, attacked and/or eaten. Their often aggressive and territorial nature is typically the result of a too small or overcrowded aquatic environment.
What is the Smartest Aquarium Fish?
The smartest aquarium fish include Oscars, bettas, and goldfish. All 3 species can be taught tricks and will interact physically with their owners – they’ll take food out of your hands, swim up to the surface when you enter the room and follow your finger as you move it along the aquarium glass.
Even schooling fish like guppies and tetras are considered ‘smart.’ Both species will swim actively when their keeper enters the room – likely in anticipation of being fed. They may even swim up to the surface and around your hand when you place it in the tank.
Final Thoughts
To sum-up, Oscar fish are very intelligent by aquarium fish standards. Like bettas and goldfish, Oscars can be taught to recognize their owners and do even do tricks! Using repetition and reward as the catalysts, it’s possible to both train and bond with your pet Oscars.
I hope this article has been helpful and answered your questions regarding Oscar fish intelligence and training in captivity. Thanks for reading and good luck with your aquarist hobby!
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