Freshwater
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Cichlidae, Astronotinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 45.7 cm
- Body shape
- Deep-bodied
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 2,099 liters
- Diet
- Missing
Know what is missing? Suggest it in the app.
Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
NativeIntroduced
Lives wild in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, and Peru.
Introduced to Australia, Côte d’Ivoire, Guam, Hong Kong SAR China, Italy, Poland, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and 1 more country.
Videos
Oscar, Astronotus ocellatus-Species Spotlight, MONSTER edition
Rachel O'LearyJun 5, 2016
Tank mates
More about the species
Description
Preferably inhabits quiet shallow waters in mud-bottomed and sand-bottomed canals and ponds. Feeds on small fish, crayfish, worms and insect larvae. Quite popular with aquarists but not for aquaculturists because of its slow growth. Maximum length 40 cm TL. A highly esteemed food fish in South America.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Acara compressus
- Acara hyposticta
- Astronotus ocellatus ocellatus
- Astronotus ocellatus zebra
- Astronotus orbiculatus
- Cychla rubroocellata
In other languages
- Oscar
- Påfågelcichlid, Oscar, Påfågelciklid
- Påfugleøjecichlide
- Riikinkukkoahven, Riikinkukkokirjoahven
- Marble cichlid, Red oscar, Velvet cichlid
Articles
All articles
Fish that get along4 min read
Temperament, fin nippers, fish that eat other fish, and fish that need the same water. And what the Harmony mark in the app means.
How to set up a South American aquarium4 min read
Soft, acidic water, subdued light, sand, roots and fallen leaves: how to set up a biotope aquarium from the Amazon and the rivers around it.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.