Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

Description:
The Oscar is a large and intelligent cichlid known for its bold personality and striking coloration. The individual in the image features a deep black body accented with vibrant red-orange patches across its sides. Oscars are popular for their ability to recognize their owners and interact with their environment, often rearranging tank decor.

Size:
Up to 12 inches (30 cm)

Aquarium Size:
A minimum of 75 gallons is recommended for a single Oscar. Larger tanks are required for pairs or community setups due to their size and territorial behavior.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 74°F to 81°F (23°C to 27°C)

• pH: 6.5 to 7.5

• Hardness: Moderate

Temperament:
Oscars are semi-aggressive and can become territorial, especially as they grow larger. They have strong personalities and can be kept with other large cichlids but should be closely monitored for aggression.

Group Size:
Best kept singly or as a bonded pair. If kept with other fish, ensure tankmates are large and robust enough to handle their territorial nature.

Compatibility:
Oscars can be kept with other large, semi-aggressive species such as Silver Dollars, Plecos, and other South American cichlids. Avoid housing them with small or delicate species, as Oscars may view them as food.

Diet:
Carnivorous. Oscars thrive on a diet of high-quality cichlid pellets, frozen foods like bloodworms and shrimp, and occasional live foods. They benefit from a varied diet rich in protein for optimal growth and coloration.

Care Level:
Intermediate to Advanced. Oscars require a spacious aquarium, powerful filtration due to their high bioload, and regular water changes for optimal health.

Planted Aquarium:
Not recommended for planted aquariums, as Oscars are known to uproot plants and rearrange decor. If plants are desired, use hardy species like Anubias attached to hardscape materials.

Invertebrate Compatibility:
Not suitable for tanks with invertebrates, as Oscars may eat shrimp, snails, and other small tankmates.

Additional Notes:
Oscars are highly intelligent and can be trained to interact with their owners, even taking food from hand. Due to their large size and waste production, a powerful filtration system is essential for long-term health.

Disclaimer:
Aquarium Arts cannot guarantee compatibility with your current fish or the fish you buy and cannot be held liable for fish lost due to aggression.