Are you an avid freshwater fisher, or a hobby fish owner and lover? Are you interested in knowing Well, read on for the facts about some of the largest freshwater fish that you can house in your home freshwater aquarium.
When it comes to freshwater fish, there are thousands of different species known to man, but many of the most interesting ones are which freshwater fish get the biggest. Nothing is more intriguing than watching these massive aquatic creatures swim and glide gracefully in the water in your own living room! Upon wondering which fish get the biggest, it is so easy to lose hours of time as you research the thousands of interesting fish. Some of the largest freshwater fish that you can keep as pets are Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus) and Jack Dempseys (Rocio octofasciata).
One of the first fish you will find when searching for which freshwater fish get the biggest in tanks is Oscars. Oscars are from the Cichlid family and are known by numerous names such as the Marble Cichlid, Tiger Oscar, and Velvet Cichlid. They can be found in South America, China, the United States, and Australia but are originally native to Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
Oscars are known to grow up to eighteen inches and weigh about three and a half pounds when they are fully mature at about one year of age. Wild Oscars are dark with orange ocelli, but with selective breeding many different variations of colors can be achieved. Oscars are carnivorous eaters and will feed on insects and other fish. Male Oscars are typically larger than their female counterparts; they are considered sexually mature and will mate for around ten years. Female Oscars lay from one thousand to three thousand eggs on a flat surface and both the male and female Oscars will protect their young.
Another fish that you may consider when wondering which freshwater fish get the biggest, is the Jack Dempseys. These fish are named after the 1920's boxer Jack Dempsey because of their facial features and aggressive nature. Jack Dempseys, like Oscars, are part of the Cichlid family. These fish are native to the Honduras and Mexico but may also be found in Australia, the United States of America, and Thailand in slow moving waters. They prefer tropical climates with the water being between seventy two and eighty six degrees Fahrenheit.
Also like the Oscars, the Jack Dempsey fish are carnivorous and will devour insects, other fish, and crustaceans. Jack Dempseys lay eggs on the ground, or the bottom of the aquarium, and they protect their young both before and after they are hatched. If particularly stressed, the Oscar parents have been known to consume their young.
When researching which freshwater fish get the biggest, one's eyes are truly opened to some of the great and magnificent creatures that swim our waters. To both the avid freshwater fisher and the fish lover and owner, there is so much valuable information to be learned about these animals. There's no doubt you'll need a much larger tank for these guys!
David Grayson, has been captivated with Freshwaton Aquariums for many years and offers for free A Freshwater Aquarium Guide to help you understand and get the most out of a freshwater aquarium. Checkout my website.
Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert