Famous Oscar Pout

[OOwl]

This is Gavin, my longfin lutino oscar pouting because I was doing a water change in his tank. Yes, he looks pitiful and sad (it's all part of the act). He lays on the bottom of the tank, on his side, darkens (see the dark pigment coming out?), right next to the glass, even his lip is pouting out. The second I'm done, he's up there at the waterline begging for his special treat (a frozen silverside). So, for those that aren't familiar with this behavior, this is pretty typical of oscars that don't get things just their way. Of course Gavin's tank receives twice-weekly water changes (Wed and Sunday) so he SHOULD be used to it, and he doesn't always pout. I was an hour late with the water change so he was being all dramatic about it. :)

[Haiven]

My gosh, that's funny!

[Incaico]

My tiger oscar does the same! The first time I saw him doing this I thought he was going to die.

[alta678]

How funny! roflmaoroflmaoroflmao

[FishDaddy]

oscars are definitely characters!

[ayla]

I had one that would float on his side at the top of the tank, and when you came over to see what was wrong, he would spring up like nothing was wrong and start begging for food.

[Flapjack]

awww this makes me want a oscar

[Edog610]

couldnt find mine one time after water change... he had buried himself completely! such a chicken

[AndrewH]

I remember my mom's had a LOT of personality. Definitely more than I've noticed in other fish.

[OOwl]

Lots of the fish I've had over the years had great personalities but none that quite matched that of the oscar, which is why I keep them now. Intelligent, emotional fish that watch TV, allow and seem to enjoy petting, recognize and react to your face and sometimes act shy towards a stranger, tail splash you and seem to grin as they swim away, and play a game they made up with a plastic ball that floats in the tank. Having an oscar is having a true pet, not just something to observe and care for, but something to interact with and somewhat communicate with. Love oscars. . . . even when they pout. :)

[jersin]

lol

[Carg]

A few years ago I got pretty sick and my wife had to feed the oscar for about a week. When I started feeding the tank again I found that I had been "shunned"...not so little guy would hide and lay on it's side until I walked away.

[Arei]

Awwww he does look like hes got a :( face. Very cute~

[Venom SS]

I know this is an old thread but ive got a red that does the same thing! If you put a net in the water or spook him or anything like that he will do just like you explained. He gets all emo and sinks to the bottom and lays on his side like (ugh just kill me I give up) lol. One thing, he is easy to catch if we need to move him cuz he wont fight a lick roflmao

[OOwl]

roflmaoVenom, your oscar sure sounds like a character! I think they're all pretty emo, which is probably why they make such wonderful pets because they DO have emotions. Over the years I've kept a lot of different fish but none quite like the oscar. Until you've lived with one, you just can't truly know.

[iron]

Mine do it all the time. I was new to oscars and had one do it so bad he actually died. If a net comes or strangers. I am like their hero though, tails a waggin and all bubbly.

[TwistedSister]

I do love the personalities of Ocsars-I think that is one thing that a lot of the Malawi African cichlids get beaten on is personality, and Oscars so definantly have them.

[OOwl]

Gavin, my oscar (I only have one now, which is an entirely different story but one with a gnarly plot and a happy ending), plays with those plastic cat balls. He got a new one for Christmas and IMMEDIATELY started playing with it to the delight of all my family and friends over for the holiday. He makes up games with RULES for his ball and it's so entertaining to watch him. He'll play non-stop for over an hour, and he's DEFINITELY playing with it! None of the other fish tanks got the kind of attention Gavin's did. He got lots of laughs when he settled in down on the side of the tank nearest the TV and appeared to be watching TV with everyone. Yep, Oscars are WONDERFUL wet pets!

[BODYDUB]

That's pretty funny.............

[iron]

Ok, what happened to the other Oscar Oowl?

[OOwl]

It's a long story and I don't want to bore the masses. I'll PM you. SHE is still alive, so don't anyone worry about that. In one sentence: two mature females sharing the same "household" sometimes isn't such a good idea. :)