Oscar
Type: Other Non-Native
Appearance: Adults are olive- green with mustard colors, and a bright red eyespot on the tail fin.
State record: 2.34 lbs.
BigCatch: To qualify your catch needs to exceed the listed weight OR length (not necessarily both).
Habitat: Oscars are illegally/ accidentally established nonnative fish. They are abundant in Water Conservation Area canals and occur throughout south Florida. Native to South America.
Behavior: Spawning takes place on flat, solid surfaces where a female lays about 3,000 eggs. Parents guard the young. They feed primarily on small fish, insects and crustaceans.
Tips: This hard-fighting escapee from the aquarium industry ranks just behind largemouth bass in popularity. Oscar take live or cut fish or shrimp, crickets and worms, and will hit small jigs tipped with cut bait or small spinnerbaits. Flyfishing is popular. This is a boom-or-bust fishery that may experience winterkills, but angler catch rates can be exceptional. Good eating; take as many as you like, but do not live release them.