Oscar (Assorted Colours 10cm+)

Oscar Fish (Astronotus ocellatus)

A bold, intelligent South American cichlid known for its dog-like personality and striking assortment of colour forms — from tiger-striped to albino, red, and lemon. Oscars are interactive, recognise their owners, and make a true centrepiece fish for dedicated hobbyists with the tank space to match their appetite and attitude.

Care at a Glance:

• Minimum Tank Size: 200+ litres (large tank with robust filtration)
• Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5
• Temperament: Aggressive — predatory and territorial
• Diet: Carnivore — cichlid pellets, frozen/live foods, earthworms, prawn
• Max Size: 30–35cm
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Care Level: Intermediate (hardy, but requires large tank and heavy filtration)

Tank Mates: Large robust cichlids (e.g. Silver Dollars, Severums, Jack Dempseys), large catfish (e.g. Plecos, Sailfin Plecos). Avoid small fish — anything that fits in an Oscar's mouth will be eaten.

Origin: Amazon River basin, South America (wild-caught and captive-bred specimens available; assorted colour forms are selectively bred for the aquarium trade)