Tiger Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Origin: Amazon and Orinoco basins: Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia
Also known as: Tiger Oscar, Velvet Cichlid, Astronotus ocellatus
Fact sheet
- Size
- 35 cm
- Lifespan
- 15 years
- Minimum tank size
- 400 L
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness GH
- 5–20 °dH
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- In pairs
- Swimming zone
- Bottom, Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
The wild-type pattern with bold dark olive background and vivid irregular orange blotches and spots. Most closely resembles the natural Astronotus ocellatus.
Appearance
Shared with the species: Oscar
Wild fish reach 35–45 cm and 1.5 kg; aquarium specimens typically 25–30 cm. Body deep, robust, with large upturned mouth. Wild type: dark olive-green with irregular orange spots; characteristic eye-spot (ocellus) at the caudal peduncle.
Care
Shared with the species: Oscar
Minimum 450–600 L for a pair. Temperature 23–28°C, pH 6.5–7.5. Powerful filtration essential — heavy bioload. Coarse substrate or bare bottom; they rearrange and destroy delicate décor.
Feeding
Shared with the species: Oscar
Predominantly carnivore: large sinking cichlid pellets, frozen/live worms, prawns, fish. Avoid feeder fish due to disease risk.
Compatibility
Shared with the species: Oscar
Aggressive toward smaller fish — will eat anything that fits in the mouth. Best with species of similar size: large South American cichlids, large plecostomus.
Breeding
Shared with the species: Oscar
Substrate spawner. Pair cleans large flat surface; female lays 300–1000 eggs. Both parents guard intensely, transferring larvae to pits. Fry free-swimming at 5–7 days.
Fun facts
Shared with the species: Oscar
Oscars can recognize individual owners and exhibit conditioned responses, earning the nickname 'river dog.' Lifespan up to 15 years. IUCN: Least Concern.