Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Family: Cichlidae • Origin: South America
Oscars are intelligent, personable monsters that grow to 14 inches. They recognize their owner and beg for food. Need a massive tank.
Min Tank
75 gal
Max Size
14"
Temperature
74-81°F
pH
6-8
Lifespan
15 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-20 dGH
aggressiveintermediatecarnivore
Care Tips
- • Grows to 14 inches — needs 75+ gal minimum
- • Extremely messy — heavy filtration required
- • Will eat EVERYTHING smaller
- • Very intelligent — learns to recognize owner
- • Rearranges tank decor constantly
Feeding: Cichlid pellets, frozen krill, feeder insects. Huge appetite and waste output.
Compatibility Notes: Will eat anything that fits in its mouth. Needs massive tank. Very intelligent and personable.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 75 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 125 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 74–81°F
- pH Range
- 6–8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–20
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 4/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- Yes
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Will eat anything that fits in its mouth. Needs massive tank. Very intelligent and personable.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 15 years
Ideal For
75 gallonspecies tanklarge fish
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressive3.5"
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
74-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+3"
African Cichlid (Mbuna)
Pseudotropheus sp.
76-82°FpH 7.5-8.855+ gal
aggressive6"
Yoyo Loach
Botia almorhae
75-82°FpH 6.5-7.530+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 4+6"
Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
75-81°FpH 6.5-7.555+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
