Common & Latin Name: Red Tiger Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)
Care level: Easy
Max Size: 34cm
Temp: 23-27°C
PH: 6.0 - 8.0
Approximate purchase size: 5-6cm
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Non-Community
The Red Tiger Oscar is a very large, powerful cichlid from South America. They are renowned for their individual personalities and antics and tend to be quite interactive with their owners and other things outside of the tank. They have special quirks like sulking, rearranging their home and arguing with pets outside of the fish tank.
The aquarium should be very large as oscars not only grow to a substantial size, but they do so surprisingly fast. They will adapt to a wide range of conditions, but the filtration needs to be on point as these fish are very messy and produce an immense amount of waste. Decor can be added, but make sure that it firmly fixed down as Oscars love to redecorate their own environment according to their own tastes.
It is best to keep several Oscar together as smaller numbers tend to have more in-fighting and single Albino Red Oscar is likely to become depressed and withdrawn. Tank mates can be added, but they must be large enough to not be viewed as food and robust enough to be able to defend themselves or not be considered weak. Larger synodontis catfish, Pictus Catfish and Large Plecos like Adonis and Gibbiceps are all good choices. These fish are however not suited to a community whatsoever.
Food can be offered in the form of Sinking Cichlid Pellets and meaty foods like Mysis, Krill, Mussels, Cockle. Chopped Prawns and Lancefish. Oscars should not be offered live fish as a source of food. This practice is unethical and increases the risk of transferring all kinds of parasites and diseases to the Oscars.
All Livestock must be ordered with Livestock Shipping as the dedicated licensed courier is substantially more expensive than a standard delivery service. If the option doesn't appear to be available you can add it to your order by clicking here and then selecting collection at checkout.
