Do Oscars (fish) have nostrils?

Oscars, like most all Cichlids, have sensory pits, which are what you are seeing. They aren't used for respiration, but for a purpose similar to the lateral line. These little indentations detect changes in pressure, scent, or current in the water, which allows them to effectively "see" their surroundings without their eyes (as you can imagine, this is very useful-- like having automatic sonar).

Sensory Pits: http://www.flippersandfins.net/Images/HITHPic1.JPG

fish are fish. they all have gills. Fish breath by oxygen disolved in water. If you have Beta fish for instance, they don't need a lot, but many other fish need some form of agrigate, (areiation) or in "laymans terms" Bubbles. Fish, much like humans, have to have oxygen. in the ocean, algea provide plenty of oxygen. In aquariums, it's an artificial process of mixing our enviroment (21.2%) oxygen with whatever the heck water is. Everyone has their tollerance. Your fish won't die with a 1% change (I never did) Humans can deal with up to a 6% oxygen change, granted we are more adaptable. If you have to tweak your aspects by a half or a percent or two, try it. Most of the time, Low and behold, the life in the tank will adapt.

Call me cold, but if your altitude won't allow for your fish tank, unless you have the money for pressurized tanks... the "super specialized fish" aern't worth it.

I've seen a lot of fish being on a submarine, none of which seemed happy when I delt with them, but all still alive. Nature has a funny way of "getting by" so if you can deal with it, they can.

I am a psychologist, retired. You are too young to even know what questions to ask of a real psychologist. The 'duties' aren't universal for all psychologists, and they vary from 'job' to 'job.' There are NO 'personal qualities' other than an interest in helping people ... the knowledge and skills are gained by going to college and studying.

The 'employment outllook' for psychology should NEVER be considered by a person who WANTS to be a psychologist ... and the TYPE of psychologist and what is done will vary the 'outlook' of employment.

What 'special training'? I got a Bachelor, Masters, and PhD in Science, Psychology ... you can also get them in Arts but may not get the same/similar 'jobs.'

STUDY. I don't 'take pride' in what I do because it is a SIN to have 'pride' ... but I do know that I have HELPED HUNDREDS to live better and happier lives, for which I thank God for letting me do.

It was extremely EASY for me to get into psychology, since I was already doing MOST of it BEFORE I went to college, did it through college more and more, and afterwards I was actually also an administrator who set up and ran the agencies as well as did the counseling. I know that most people would tell you that I shouldn't even ACKNOWLEDGE any 'god' and be a psychologist ... but I DID, and spent the bulk of my career working for and through the 'church' ... while also working with both the police and fire departments ...

There, I told you EVERYTHING you asked, with no 'numbers' and didn't tell you ANYTHING. You need to go to school, major in Psychology, and in 8-12 years, YOU can be a psychologist ... but ONLY IF you are intelligent enough to pass all the classes and write two theses plus do two years of unpaid internship. HAVE FUN!

*YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE A RETIRED PSYCHOLOGIST BUT I FOUND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE !

ian is right my oscar had it and i had boiled his filters and did a 50% water change i healed him he now has a scar on his head this happened a week ago actually oh and if u hav other oscars quarentine them fast before they get it because its actually a parasite oh and take him off feeders for awhile while he recovers feed him shrimp sorry about wats happening and i hope he gets better

Yes they do but they aren't used for breathing like we do because unlike ours, they are not connected to their throats. They are used for 'smelling' chemical changes in the water. It's a sense they use for 'hunting' and for many other purposes.

Hope this helps :D

yeah the do