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Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
A huge, intelligent cichlid with a dog-like personality — and an appetite for everything, including tank plants and smaller fish.
12–14 in10–15 years
Habitat
Enclosure
75 gal minimum for one adult
Temperature
74–80°F
Humidity / Water
Freshwater · pH 6.5–7.5
Heating & lighting
Heavy-duty heater and massive filtration — Oscars dig, rearrange, and produce enormous waste. Secure lids required.
Diet
Feed these
- Quality cichlid pellets
- Frozen krill and shrimp
- Crayfish
- Earthworms from clean sources
Never feed
- Feeder goldfish — disease and fat
- Human table food
- Anything they can't swallow (they try anyway)
Feed once or twice a day in portions they finish in two minutes. Juveniles grow fast — budget for the 75+ gallon tank from day one.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Large plecos Silver dollars Large catfish — only in huge tanks
Never house with
Neon tetras and guppies — eaten Betta — eaten Angelfish — harassed Other Oscars — often fight unless raised together as a pair
Personality varies — some Oscars tolerate huge tank mates, others kill everything. Expect uprooted plants and a rearranged aquascape.
