Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Also known as: Tiger Oscar, Velvet Cichlid
Intelligent, personable cichlid that recognizes its owner. Grows very large and produces a lot of waste.
Tank Size
75 gal
minimum (125+ preferred)
Temperature
74–81°F
23–27°C
pH Range
6–7.5
water acidity
Max Size
14"
35.6 cm
Lifespan
10–15 years
typical in captivity
Swim Level
Middle
preferred zone
Care Notes
Needs a very large tank with powerful filtration. Rearranges decorations constantly. Messy eater.
Feeding
Pellets, frozen foods, earthworms, crickets. Avoid feeder fish due to disease risk.
Compatible Tank Mates
None identified.
Use Caution With
Incompatible With
Check Compatibility
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