Do Oscar Fish Change Color?

The beautiful color of the Oscar has and will always be a vital factor in why they are so widely loved. Everyone who sees an Oscar fish will agree that these shimmering creatures are beautiful and amazing to the sight. What many do not know however is that the Oscar fish isn’t necessarily always wearing their birth colors. Oscar’s color can change from time to time. This can be due to a couple of circumstances and reasons. 

Do Oscar fish really change color? Yes, the Oscar fish sometimes changes its colors and this can be for various reasons. The color on an Oscar could fade off, or it could even brighten. It is all dependent on the cause of the change. Subsequent parts of this Oscar article will examine all the possible reasons for Oscar’s color change. It will also delve into detailed information on the politics of color change in Oscars. 

Causes of Oscar fish color change

There are many factors that can cause the color of an Oscar fish to change, pale or disappear entirely.  Below are some of the factors that can cause and influence color change in Oscars.

1.Old age

One of the most common reasons why Oscars change colors is due to old age. This sort of color change is usually fairly slow. The process happens gradually over time. It is however definitely noticeable if you pay attention. Another age factors are if they are very young. Oscar fish are not born all that colorful, they are actually fairly dull as fry when they are babies. It is over time that their color brightens. Another thing that makes them very beautiful is the various patterns that become more obvious.

There are some similarities between various Oscars, but many of them grow up and mature in different ways. Not all Oscar fish develop the same colors or patterns as they age. The colors can be different. 

2.The Mood of the Oscar

Many people do not understand the exact extent to which Oscars are social. One of their advanced behavioral patterns is the fact that they seem to have apparent mood changes.

The emotional state of an Oscar can determine what color it will be or how bright that color will appear. It’s an emotional situation. However, it is hard to describe exactly which colors an Oscar will display in relation to his mood at any given time. Oscars are all different, and while many of them may display similar colors in relation to their moods, it can differ quite obviously.

Things that can affect the mood of an Oscar fish include other fish in the tank, human activity, noise, long journeys, unfamiliar places, and even change of food type. 

3.Health & Water Conditions

Yet another reason why your Oscar fish might change is due to its state of health. It could also be due to water conditions. 

As a general rule of thumb, a healthy Oscar fish will have fairly bright colors, whereas an Oscar that is ill will usually be much paler in comparison.

Another huge factor is that of the water conditions. If the water condition is not good enough in terms of pH, ammonia level, temperature, etc… The Oscar can become sick or agitated and distressed. 

On a general note, your Oscar is healthy and fit if it has bright colors. It is also important for the water to stay warm enough at just the right temperature. Colder waters are not very comfortable for Oscars and this may cause them to change color due to discomfort. 

Healthy Oscar Fish Colors

A happy and relaxed Oscar fish will be rather dark colored. They often sport the primary colors black, blue, or dark green in various dark shades. The colors may brighten considerably if the fish is upset or afraid. This may be due to fights between the fish and other fish in the tank. It could even be due to unrecognized or unwanted human presence. 

Why Is My Oscar Turning White?

Oscar fish could take on a rather whitish color if it is suffering from the disease known as ich.

Ich is a condition that is caused by a parasite which causes fish to develop white spots all over their bodies. The fish may not turn white, but even the areas where there are no white spots may turn pale in color.

Other diseases that can cause white spots on my Oscar

The ich is not the only fish disease that can cause white spots on your Oscar. There is a wide range of diseases and parasites that may cause your Oscar to develop white spots. Ich is the most common cause of white spots all along with the head and body. This infection will also be on the fins of fish. It is caused by a parasite. It often leads to paleness in color in the Oscar. This parasite may lead to more serious afflictions or even death eventually.

Yet another cause is the HITH, or hole in the head disease. This disease causes white spots around the eyes and mouth to appear. Fin and tail rot may also occur. Causing whiteness on the edges of the fins.

Hole in the head disease

HITH can be fatal if it is left untreated. The cause of this deadly disease had not been verified just yet. But it is advisable that you never feed sick fish or fish with this disease to your Oscar as your Oscar can definitely get it in this way. There are also speculations that the hole in the head disease is caused by flagellate parasite Hexamita.

There are a couple of other factors that may play a role in the development of this illness. These factors include vitamin C deficiency, other vitamins or mineral imbalances. Overcrowding, poor water quality, or improper nutrition can also be determining factors in this. 

Hole in the head treatment

You can treat the hole in the head with an antibiotic called Flagyl or metronidazole. Put the medicine in the aquarium or tank. Leave the fish in the fine bath or tank for twenty-four hours. You may need to slightly increase the water temperature while the fish is receiving treatment. This will help them stay as comfortable as possible. 

Why Is My Black Oscar Turning Grey? 

Some Oscar fish like black Oscars actually turn grey on occasion. The previous black color of the Oscar fish will make the change in color very obvious. This means that there will be a sharp contrast and make the situation seem worse than it really is. There can be a couple of reasons why this drastic change would occur. 

Some Oscars change their color in response to their environment. However, the environment seems to be a constant factor in whether or not Oscars change color and what color they change into. Oscar fish usually portray much darker colors when they are in dark environment. They will seem to have paler colors if their environment is of that shade too. It is uncertain whether this is a camouflaged attempt or something else. The Oscar can also turn from black to grey if it is scared. Fear or distress could make the Oscar fish change color temporarily.

Lightly colored substrate may cause Oscar fish to change colors in accordance. 

The colors of an Oscar fish may are very good indicators of health and general well being. It can tell you very fast that there is something going on with your pet. This means that all issues pertaining to the color of the fish should be taken with utmost seriousness. While it isn’t all fish that change color that is sick, color is a good indicator of health state.

Food to feed Oscar for bright color

Your Oscars diet can actually impact how they look greatly. Here are some foods to help your Oscar fish retain their bright and colorful nature. Certain foods can actually bring out their bright color especially the red tones. 

You should try to find astaxanthin, which is present in krill shrimps. There are also other foods that contain this.  Peas seem to contain chemicals that help the Oscar have brighter colors too.

In general, as long as your Oscar fish is healthy and happy, it is very likely to maintain it’s bright and beautiful color.