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Photo of: Oscar Fish (Astronotus ocellatus)
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Scientific Name(s): Astronotus ocellatus, Acara ocellatus, Cychla rubroocellata, Hydrogonus ocellatus, Lobotes ocellatus
Common Name(s): Oscar Fish, Common Oscar, Red Oscar, Tiger Oscar, Red Tiger Oscar, Marbled Cichlid, Velvet Oscar, Albino Oscar
Family: Cichlidae
Species Type: South American Cichlids
Maximum Size: 14 inches
Life Span: 13 years
Natural Habitat: Amazon River Basin
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Tank Region: All Over
Possible Tank Mates: Firemouth Meeki, Catfish, Plecos,
Description: Oscars are an omnivorous cichlid from South America. They are regarded as one of the most intelligent tropical fish species and are aware of the world outside of their aquarium. Oscars can recognize their owners from across a room and will often beg for food. The oscar fish grows very quickly and will reach up to 14 inches within a few years. It is not uncommon to have an oscar grow from 1 inch to 9 inches in a single year! Because of the size of these fish and their messy eating habits, a single oscar fish should have a 55 gallon tank at the bare minimum! A pair of oscars can be housed in a 75 gallon tank.
Temperature Range 72°F - 82°F
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| 60°F |
65°F |
70°F |
75°F |
80°F |
85°F |
90°F |
| pH 5.0 |
pH 6.0 |
pH 7.0 |
pH 8.0 |
pH 9.0 |
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Diet: Flake foods, pellet foods, live foods, blood worms, earth worms, vegetables such as romaine lettuce, cucumbers and zucchini. Most experts agree that oscars should not be fed feeder fish. They are not particularly nutritous and carry a huge risk of disease transmission.
Temperment: Oscars will eat anything that fits into their mouths. Although Oscar fish are not as aggressive as some other cichlids they will fight a lot amongst each other and mating rituals can be down right viscious!
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African Catfish
