June 14

Sarah Robertson

Veil Tail Oscar Fish: A Variety of Colors

Oscar fish are popular in freshwater aquariums. They're beautiful, clever fish that may grow to be quite big. Selecting the right kind of Oscar might be stressful. However, most Oscars are suitable for a home aquarium, including veil tail Oscars.

The veil tail Oscars have a variety of hues. They come in a range of colors, including black and red. However, their long end threadlike tail distinguishes them from one another. As a result, the name "veil tail Oscar" was derived.

If you're looking for a big fish that's also easy to care for, look no further than the Oscar. Here, in this article, we'll provide you with all the information you need to know about veil tail Oscars.

Veil Tail Oscars Fish Appearance 

The veil tail Oscars are generally recognizable in fish shops, with their distinct brilliant orange markings on the tail and flowing toward the head. Some specimens, on the other hand, may have orange lines running down their dorsal fin rather than the big dots. When excited, one of the distinctive features of veil tail Oscars is their lovely tail display.

Veil tail Oscar Fish Color 

The most common color for a Veiled-tail Oscar is orange, reddish, or black. They are identified by the patches that appear on their tails.

Veil tail Oscar Fish Size 

Veil tail Oscar are typically 30-40 cm in length, but they can sometimes grow more than that. This will depend on the care and environment they're given. They are relatively large fish, so they will need a spacious aquarium to accommodate their size.

Veil tail Oscar Fish Lifespan 

The average lifespan of a Veil tail Oscar is 10-14 years, but with proper care, they can live up to 15 years or more.

Veil tail Oscar Fish Behaviour 

Veil tail Oscar are semi-aggressive fish that can be a little nippy. They are not the best choice for a beginner fishkeeper. They should only be kept with other semi-aggressive fish that can hold their own. It's best to avoid keeping them with smaller fish, as they may view them as food.

They are also very territorial and may usually lay claim to a particular area and attack any fish that encroaches on their territory. Once the oscar establishes a territory, it will vigorously defend it by chasing away other fishes. Therefore, this could make them difficult species to handle.

Veil tail Oscar Fishtank Setup

Veil tail Oscar Fishtank Setup 

Setting up a tank for your Veil tail Oscar can be a bit of a challenge. However, with some careful planning, it can be done.

The following are some things to keep in mind when setting up a tank for your Veil tail Oscar:

Water Conditions 

Never forget to provide your Veil tail Oscar in your aquarium with plenty of clean, warm water to maintain their long-term well-being. Furthermore, you must also keep a note of certain water parameters such as temperature and pH.

The water temperature in the aquarium should be about 77° F (25° C), and it should usually stay between 74° and 81° F (23.5° and 27° C). The water hardness in the tank should be between 5 and 15 dH.

Keeping your Oscar too warm for lengthy periods of time may result in oxygen deprivation, which can cause nerve and heart damage, as well as seriously impair the immune system. Similarly, keeping them too cold or exposing them to a sharp chill can also have an impact on their immune system. In addition, an impaired immune system makes them more vulnerable to a range of illnesses, from easy-to-treat Ich to harder ones such as hole-in-the-head.

Aquarium Size 

A minimum tank size of 30 gallons (about 114 liters) per Oscar, as well as any additional space needed for other fish, is necessary for your Oscar aquarium. If you want to keep an Oscar, a tank with a capacity of 40 gallons (about 152 liters) is recommended.

Anything less than 55 gallons will be stressful to your Oscar and will stunt their growth. Furthermore, a larger tank will provide them with more space to swim and explore, which will make them happier and healthier. It will also help to reduce aggression.

Oscars are a messy fish, so tank cleaning is essential. As a result, perform your weekly 10-15% water changes to guarantee that your Oscar has clean water and that the waste not processed by the aquarium filter is removed. You need to provide your Oscar with adequate filtration so that the water is not poisonous.

The filter(s) must also be kept in good working order. When selecting a filter, keep in mind that you'll want extra filtering for a fish tank with a large capacity like your own. Many people employ a variety of smaller filters to keep a big aquarium like this. Remember that it's critical for your filters to be able to filtrate more water than the whole aquarium volume.

Aquarium Decor 

Keep in mind that your Oscar aquarium is large, active fish that require a lot of swimming area. They also like their aquarium to be somewhat darker with lots of nooks and crannies. As a result, plants and caves are perfect additions to their tank.

Some good plant choices for an Oscar aquarium include:

  • Java Fern
  • Anubias
  • Amazon Sword
  • Water Wisteria
  • Cryptocoryne

Caves and other hiding spots can be made out of driftwood, rocks, or even PVC pipe. Be sure to give this amazing fish plenty of places to hide, as they may become stressed if they feel exposed.

Oscar Tank Mates 

These popular freshwater fish have a reputation for being a killer of other fish species. They are not very friendly fish and thrive when kept alone. Other huge South or Central American Cichlids, on the other hand, can be kept with them; however, you must choose ones that are neither too aggressive nor passive since the fighting ones will harm your Oscar and the inactive ones will be bullied.

If you prefer to keep your Oscar with other fish, the two species should be raised together or placed in a new fish tank at the same time so that none of them has established dominance. In addition, cichlids are the most common tank companions since they can typically compete against an Oscar on their own.

Only large or particularly spiny fish, such as jaguar cichlid, green terror, Jack Dempsey cichlid, and other cichlids, big armored catfish, and common pleco may be kept in an Oscar fish tank. All other species of fish will be devoured or at the very least attacked by an Oscar.

Feeding Veil tail Oscar Fish 

The Veil tail Oscar will eat just about any type of food. They have no particular preferences when it comes to meals. However, It is critical that you offer your Oscar a varied diet for increasing their growth rate.

Diet in Nature

The white Oscars, which are endemic to tropical and subtropical South America, are a common sight. Wild Oscars consume mostly meaty items (particularly little whole fish) throughout their range, with the remainder of their diet consisting of live insects and insect larvae.

It's difficult to determine the precise proportions of food types consumed, but it's likely that live fish and insects account for around 90% of the total diet of wild Veil tail Oscar.

Although live fish and insects make up the majority of a wild oscar's diet, other items are eaten as well. Fruits, nuts, shrimps, and snails are all popular foods, with fruits and nuts being consumed on a seasonal basis.

Some authors have stated that Oscars have been seen near dead animals floating in the water. It's uncertain, however, if these fish were chowing down on actual carcasses or tiny fish lured by decaying flesh. I'd opt for the latter hypothesis.

Diet in Aquarium 

Veil tail Oscars kept in aquariums generally dine on a diet that is significantly different from that of their wild counterparts. The following are some of the most common meals provided to captive Oscars:

  • Live Fishes
    Many people feed their Veil tail, Oscar, a diet that is virtually entirely of live feeder fish. While live feeder fish have certain advantages in the diets of predatory fish, they should never be used as the only food because this would defeat the purpose (such as breeding, etc). For better growth and development they must be provided with a variety of food.
    One of the most critical concerns regarding the feeding of live fish to Veil tail Oscar is disease transmission. The risk of illness transmission is high since many feeder fish, particularly goldfish, are produced in huge quantities by fish farmers. These fish are often kept in unhealthy conditions and may be medicated to prevent the spread of disease. If these fish are fed to the Veil tail Oscar, there is a good chance that the Veil tail Oscar will contract whatever illness the feeder fish are harboring.
  • One of the most critical concerns regarding the feeding of live fish to Veil tail Oscar is disease transmission. The risk of illness transmission is high since many feeder fish, particularly goldfish, are produced in huge quantities by fish farmers. These fish are often kept in unhealthy conditions and may be medicated to prevent the spread of disease. If these fish are fed to the Veil tail Oscar, there is a good chance that the Veil tail Oscar will contract whatever illness the feeder fish are harboring.
  • One of the most critical concerns regarding the feeding of live fish to Veil tail Oscar is disease transmission. The risk of illness transmission is high since many feeder fish, particularly goldfish, are produced in huge quantities by fish farmers. These fish are often kept in unhealthy conditions and may be medicated to prevent the spread of disease. If these fish are fed to the Veil tail Oscar, there is a good chance that the Veil tail Oscar will contract whatever illness the feeder fish are harboring.
  • Insects & Worms
    The insects and worms eaten by captive Veil tail Oscars should make up a significant portion of the diet. Crickets, mealworms, earthworms, blackworms, and bloodworms are all wonderful alternatives that may be found at most pet stores.
    These are rich in nutrients and will help to ensure that your Veil tail Oscar remains healthy. Insects and worms can be offered live or frozen/thawed (live is always best).
  • Fruits, Nuts, and Veggies
    Fruits, nuts, and veggies should not form the bulk of your Veil tail Oscar's diet. These items aren't as nutritious as meaty meals or live/frozen bugs but can be given as occasional treats.
    Some good fruit/vegetable choices include peas, carrots, lettuce, apples, oranges, grapes, and bananas. These can be offered fresh, frozen, or canned (rinsed well to remove preservatives/sodium).
  • Commercially Prepared Foods
    There are several commercially available meals that are tailored to the Veil tail Oscars. These foods, which may be pellets, flakes, or granules, are generally comprised of a combination of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and other components.
    While these foods are not necessary, they can be a convenient way of providing your Veil tail Oscar with a well-rounded diet.
  • Fish pellets and flakes
    These are generally the best choices, with pellets being more appropriate for larger Oscars and flakes being better suited for smaller fish.
    Fish keepers should always read the labels on these foods to ensure that they contain a good balance of nutrients and that they do not contain any fillers or artificial ingredients.
  • Fresh & Frozen Foods
    Fresh or frozen shellfish, such as shrimps, scallops, clams, and squid, are excellent additions to the fish's diet and should be utilized on a regular basis. One day it's shrimp; the next it's squid; and so on. Use your imagination but not too much seafood at once. Too much seafood in one sitting can lead to digestive issues.
    As with all foods, variety is key to keeping your Veil tail Oscar healthy and happy. A diet that consists of only one or two food items is not ideal and can lead to health problems down the road. Try to offer a variety of different foods to ensure that your fish gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Quick Tips for Feeding Oscars 

Veil tail Oscars are notoriously messy eaters and will often make quite a mess of their tank when feeding. Here are a few quick tips to help minimize the mess:

Soak dry pellets/flakes in water for a few minutes before feeding to prevent them from floating all over the tank

Use a turkey baster or similar device to target feed your fish

Feed only what your fish can eat in a few minutes to prevent uneaten food from sinking and decaying. Also feeding excess food may lead to many health issues.

Remove any uneaten food after feeding time is over

Perform regular water changes to remove any leftover food and waste

How big do Veil tail Oscars get

Veil tail Oscar Fish Diseases 

Veil tail Oscars are relatively hardy fish but can be susceptible to a number of different diseases if not properly cared for. The most common diseases that affect Veil tail Oscars include:

  • Hole-in-the-Head Disease: A condition that results in the formation of small pits or holes on the head and body of the fish. It is most commonly caused by poor water quality and/or a lack of nutrition.
  • Hexamita: A parasitic infection that can cause a variety of symptoms, including weight loss, lethargy, and appetite loss. It is typically treated with a course of antibiotics.
  • Ich: A common parasitic infection that manifests as white spots on the body of the fish. It is typically treated with a course of copper-based medication.
  • Fin Rot: A bacterial infection that causes the fins of the fish to deteriorate. It is most often caused by poor water quality and can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
  • Columnaris: A bacterial infection that manifests as ulcers on the body of the fish. It is typically treated with a course of antibiotics.
  • Swim Bladder Disease: A condition that affects the swim bladder and can cause the fish to float awkwardly or have difficulty swimming. It is often caused by constipation and can be treated with a high-fiber diet.
  • Popeye: A condition that results in the swelling of the eyes. It is most often caused by poor water quality and can be treated with a course of antibiotics.

Preventative Care 

Provide ideal care from the start to keep your Veil tail Oscar healthy. Here are some pointers to get you started:

  • Choose a tank that is big enough to accommodate your fish.
  • Equip the tank with a quality filter and heater
  • Perform regular water changes (weekly or bi-weekly)
  • Keep the tank clean and free of debris
  • Feed a high-quality diet consisting of pellets, flakes, fresh foods, and frozen foods
  • Monitor the water quality regularly
  • Quarantine new fish before adding them to the tank
  • Avoid overcrowding the tank

Symptoms of Illness 

Even if you do everything possible, your Veil tail Oscar's sickness might occur from time to time. It is critical to be able to identify indications of disease in order to get treatment as soon as feasible. The following are some of the most typical symptoms of illness in Veil tail Oscars:

  •  Sudden weight loss
  • Lethargy
  • Appetite loss
  • Cloudy eyes
  • Redness or inflammation
  • Bulging eyes
  •  White spots on the body
  • List Element

Veil tail Oscar Fish Breeding 

Veil tail Oscars can be bred in aquariums as long as the tank is set up correctly. The first step is to ensure that the pool is big enough. Oscars are big cichlids, with some reaching more than one foot in length.

  • Choosing the breeding pair
    Make sure you get healthy Oscars from different broods. To obtain a breeding pair, you must house six young Veil tail Oscars together and allow them to do so on their own. Young Veil tail Oscars are difficult to breed, but you'll be lucky if you get one pair from six individuals. If you don't want to wait and let Veil tail Oscars grow up together, you can purchase a breeding pair instead; however, this is usually considerably more expensive. When you move your fish from their old aquarium, there's a good chance that they'll break up and cease to be a breeding pair.
  • Conditioning the breeding pair
    To ensure a successful spawning, the group of Veil tail Oscars must be well-conditioned. This means that she should be plump and have a healthy appetite. The best way to condition them is to feed them live foods such as brine shrimp, earthworms, and crickets. You should also offer her a variety of frozen and flake foods.
  • The Breeding tank Setup
    When the time comes to spawn, you'll need to set up a spawning tank. The tank should be at least 50 gallons in size. It should also have a tight-fitting lid to prevent the fish from jumping out. The water in the tank should be clean and well-filtered. The temperature should be between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH should be between 7.0 and 8.0.
    You'll also need to add some hiding places to the tank for the fish to retreat to when they feel threatened. Aquarium plants can provide these hiding places. You can also use caves, tunnels, or pieces of driftwood.
  • Spawning
    Remove the other fish from the aquarium once a pair has been formed since Veil tail Oscars are highly aggressive and may harm intruders. If the spawning does not begin immediately, there is no simple remedy to get it started. You may offer the pair with suitable circumstances to wait for the spawning to start. The courtship behavior is sometimes too violent, resulting in the death of one or both Odes before any offspring are born.
    The female will lay her eggs in a pit that she digs in the substrate such as a flat stone, as their spawning site. Once the eggs are laid, the male will fertilize them. After spawning, the parents will aggressively defend the eggs from anything that they perceive as a threat.

Veil tailOscar Fry Care 

A week after being born, the fry will swim freely. After hatching, give them baby brine shrimp nauplii as a first food. You can offer the powdered flake diet, but it will take longer for them to mature on it if you do so. After three months, the fry will reach 1.5 to 2 inches in length if provided with a well-balanced diet. Keep in mind that a pair of Veil tail Oscars can produce a lot of offspring. To keep the population under control, remove deformed or sickly fry.

How big do Veil tail Oscars get

Frequent Questions 

How big do Veil tail Oscars get? 

The average length of a Veil tail Oscar is 12-14 inches, although they may grow up to 18 inches in length. This will be determined by their care and environment. They are rather large fish, so a huge aquarium will be required to accommodate them.

Are Veil tail Oscar-less aggressive? 

The Veil tail Oscar Tiger Oscar is a relatively docile medium-sized cichlid, although it has an enormous appetite and will consume anything that fits (or nearly fits) in its mouth, including fish and invertebrates. Territoriality is usually at its peak during spawning.

How long does a Veil tail Oscar live? 

The average lifespan of a Veil tail Oscar is 10-14 years, but with proper care, they can live up to 15 years or more.

Can I keep My Veil Tail Oscar with Other Type of Oscar? 

As previously said, a few species may be kept with veil tails; the safest choice is to maintain your veil tail with another breed of Oscar. So, yes. You can keep your veil tail with other kinds of Oscars.

What does Veil tail Oscar eat? 

Veil tail Oscars are not picky eaters and will consume nearly anything that fits in their mouths. In the wild, their diet consists of smaller fish, crustaceans, and insects. In captivity, they should be fed a diet of high-quality cichlid pellets, supplemented with live, frozen, or freeze-dried foods.

How often do you need to feed a Veil tail Oscar? 

Veil tail Oscars are very attractive fish that should be fed 3-4 times a day, giving them only as much as they can consume in a few minutes.

How often should you change the water for a Veil tail Oscar? 

Water changes are necessary on a daily basis to maintain the water's chemistry and low levels of soluble waste in balance. Changing more than 25% of the water at once is not recommended. Every week or two, changing 20-25% of the water is sufficient.

why is my Veil tail Oscar turning black? 

The most frequent reason for an Oscar to turn black is an ammonia imbalance in the water. This is typically owing to overfishing or inadequate filtering. Poor water quality, stress, and illness might also cause a fish to become black.

If your Oscar is turning black, perform a water test and take steps to correct any ammonia or nitrite levels that are out of balance. If the blackening is accompanied by other symptoms, such as lethargy or loss of appetite, it may be indicative of a more serious health problem and you should consult a veterinarian.

Conclusion 

Veil tail Oscars are beautiful fish that make a great addition to any freshwater aquarium. They are relatively easy to care for as long as their basic needs are met. These fish require a large tank, plenty of hiding places, and a diet of high-quality cichlid pellets supplemented with live, frozen, or freeze-dried foods.

Water changes are required on a regular basis to keep the water quality high and to prevent ammonia buildup. If you are looking for a fish that is relatively easy to care for and is sure to impress your friends, then the Veil tail Oscar is the fish for you!

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Sarah Robertson

I am a passionate blogger who also happens to be a fish keeping enthusiast. Writing about my hobby is something that I absolutely love to do, and it's no secret that my chosen topic is always centered around fish keeping.

Sarah Robertson

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