Oscars are swimmers, not cave dwellers.. So unless you have others in the tank that like caves or need a place to get away from the oscar, then caves are a waste of space.. Wood, well, it has to be UNTREATED wood and it needs to be tank safe AND tank ready, meaning it has to SINK not float when you get it AND not turn yourj water brow with tannins.. They now have those fake ones that set you back some money but look dang good in the tank, They look reall, dont' turn your water brown from tannins, and you can get any size for the tank size you have.. PetSmart has these and others I am sure..IF you buy on line, it is cheaper as these are not cheap at the stores..
I dont' mimic the fish NATURAL SUROUNDINGS!! HOW do we know what that is??? Also most were farm raised NOT pulled from their wild inviroment AND they dont' know the difference.. SO that being said, Do the deco you LIKE and what the fish can get around good in.. REMEMBER, Oscars are swimmers, NOT cave dwellers or stay in one place unless the lights are out.. A longer tank is better than a wider tank.. I have seen 150 gal at 5ft. and 3ft front to back.. this is not good for a large fish that likes to swim.. I have a 125 gal and it is 6ft long.. My oscar would cruse the front of the tank.. Anything in his way was pulled up and dragged to the back.. So keep the front clear of plants deco of any kind.. Such characters!!
