Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Cichlids > Large Cichlids - American > Oscars

OscarTiger Oscar ~ Velvet Cichlid ~ Marble Cichlid

Family: Cichlidae

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Astronotus ocellatusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     The Oscar is a popular fish that has been in demand for many years and is held in high esteem!

     A fish with great personality, the Oscar demonstrates unusually intelligence. They can be taught to roll over for food and can even learn to enjoy being petted. Sometimes they act prideful and sensitive or spoiled, moody, and demanding... behaving just like part of the family!

     Oscar cichlids are handsome fish. They quickly grow quite large, reaching up to a foot, and definitely command attention. Though not usually described as beautiful they are quite personable and attentive, giving them an almost puppy dog appeal.

     Their coloration along with very small scales gives them a velvety look. In earlier times they were actually referred to as the 'Velvet Cichlid'. Wild caught oscars are still popular and widely available but because oscars are readily bred, there are many varied color forms available. The most attractive of these is the Red Oscar, which has a red body and fewer blotchings than the wild caught.

     The Speckled Red Oscar with black fins is a more recent variety. Other popular tank bred varieties include the Tiger Oscar which is very similar to the wild form but with more red coloring, and the Red Tiger Oscar with marbled patches of red pigmentation. The Albino Tiger Oscar and the Albino Red Oscar are also more recent varieties. Then there are lutinos and long finned varieties. Some Oscars have even been artificially colored or 'painted' to increase their appeal.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:      The Oscar was described by Agassiz in 1831. They are found in South America; the Amazon River Basin, the Parana, the Rio Paraguay, and the Rio Negro. They inhabit slow moving waters of rivers, canals and ponds with muddy or sandy bottoms, feeding on small fish, crayfish, worms and insect larvae.
     They have been introduced into natural waterways in China, Australia, and Florida USA as a by-product of the aquarium trade. Expansion into many non-native areas is somewhat restricted as they are intolerant of cooler water temperatures. They are a highly valued as a food fish in South America.

Status:      This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:      The Oscar Cichlid has a rather oval shaped body and large thick lips. The wild caught species are typically dark colored with some orange around the gill area and on the sides towards the back, and an orange-ringed black spot at the base of the caudal fin. They can change colors rapidly when becoming territorial or combative. Juveniles have white and orange wavy bands or stripes and have spots on their heads. There are many varied color forms of captive bred Oscars. They can be marbled, mottled, blotched, red and black, all red, and all black.

Size - Weight:      These fish get up to inches 12" (33 cm) in the wild, though usually a bit smaller in the aquarium. They grow very rapidly and will quickly outgrow a small aquarium.

Speckled Red Oscar Photo  © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

Care and feeding:      Since they are carnivorous Oscars prefer a variety of meaty foods. They will eat all types of live, dry, and frozen foods. They get quite large so they should be fed a high quality pelleted food and large chunk foods such as cut up beef heart and earthworms. They particularly enjoy fish and worms and are hearty eaters. Live guppies and then goldfish will also suffice when they get bigger.
     Though you can start younger oscars in a smaller aquarium, they grow quickly and will soon need a large home. A 30 gallon aquarium with very good maintenance and filtration is okay for juveniles, but a 100 gallon aquarium or larger is better for adults. They will need frequent water changes. Oscars do splash water in their enthusiasm for eating, so it is good to have the aquarium covered.
     These are curious fish that love to play, they will have definite ideas about the interior arrangement and will move things around. Rocks securely placed on the bottom work well while plants will be uprooted. Some suggestions are to put plants in pots with the roots covered with rocks, use plastic plants and securely anchor them on the bottom with silicone cement, or floating plants can work well. Because they like to explore, you can occasionally offer them a 'toy' such as a plastic ornament. Get several and rotate a new one in every so often.
     The only disease they are particularly vulnerable to is Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE), which use to be called "hole-in-the-head" disease. This looks like cavities or pits on the head and face. It is believed this may be a nutritional deficiency of one or more of: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. It is thought to be caused by a poor diet or lack of variety, lack of partial water changes, or over filtration with chemical media such as activated carbon.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:      These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:      Hardness: 10 ° dGH
     Ph: 6.5 - 7.2
     Temp: 72 -77 ° F (22-25 ° C)

Social Behaviors:      They are not a community fish. Though they are not belligerent to tank mates, they are predatory. If you start your aquarium with an assortment of fish, eventually you will have only one type of fish left, the Oscar. They will generally burrow and they will dig up plants.

Sexual Differences:      They are difficult to sex. The easiest method is to obtain six to eight juveniles and let them pair off on their own as they reach sexual maturity.

Breeding/Reproduction:      Oscars are egg layers and open spawners. They forms pairs and will attach their eggs to rocks or the glass. They are excellent parents and both will tend the young, even chewing up food for the fry to eat.
     See the description of how these fish breed in Breeding Freshwater Fish for monogamist cichlids.

Availability:      The Oscar is readily available, either as a wild caught fish or in tank bred color varieties. The are usually not very expensive, with juveniles ranging from about $5.00 - $20.00 USD depending on the variety. Adults range from about $20.00 - $40.00 USD.

Author: Clarice Brough, CFS

• Oscars: $4.99
• Oscars: $4.99
• Oscars: $5.99
• Oscars: $9.99
• Oscars: $5.99

Astronotus Ocellatus Red Oscar Small Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $4.99

Astronotus Ocellatus Tiger Oscar Small Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $4.99

Astronotus Ocellatus Albino Tiger Oscar Small Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $5.99

Astronotus Ocellatus Tiger Oscar Medium Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $9.99

Astronotus Ocellatus Albino Red Oscar Small Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $5.99

Comments
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Latest Comments
I have three oscars, one is a albino tiger red. They are very big for their age. The biggest one is the oldest, he is 5 inches long and is 6months old. Reply jason 5 2010-03-04
I Have 3 Oscars 6 inch, 3 Convicts 2 inch, 3 Jacks 3 inch , 2 Catfish 2 inch, 2 Red Belly Pacu 4 inch, 1 Red Devil 5 inch, Puffer Fish 2.5 inch, 2 Crawfish, and 1 Blue Lobster 3 inch. They get along for the most part but the Red Devil screws around with the red belly Pacus a lot and 2 of my Oscars have a white dandriff on there Pectoral Fins. I can't figure out what it is. If anyone knows please let me know, I would appreciate it! Reply Paul 2010-03-02
Replies (1) Sounds like you have a big tank! Starting off with your Red Devil. Very interesting and pretty aggressive fish. Shouldn't have too much too worry about it as long as you have a good bit of hiding places but keep an eye out, he could hurt your Red Belly Pacu! As for your Oscar's,hopefully I got to you in time, really does sound like the first stage of Ick. They have medication for it, not that much maybe $4.oo. Or if they were in the same batch from the same breeder, could be a marking. But, treat it as Ich. If they get to their second stage, 2000 hosts will attach themselves to your other fish and get them sick. But,unfortunately it usually takes till the second stage for all Ick treatments to be effective. Try Ick Clear Tank Buddies. I used it on the first stage and it worked. Hopefully I helped!... Andy
I have an oscar that is about 5 inches long with my pleco, they get long in my smaller tank. I have a 1 inch jack demspey, 1 inch Green terror, 1 inch red devil, and a 1 inch texas. The lady at the store said they might fight but they seem to get along. I plan to put all together when they are big. Reply Troy 2009-08-14
Replies (1) Good luck with mixing your Oscar with the other cichlids you have. Most likely, your oscar will be fish food for the rest of your cichlids when their true temperament develops as they mature. Your other cichlids are much more aggressive than an oscar, especially the red devil and green terror, they live up to their name!... Arlene
Regarding the first comment. This is rediculous. I would not keep one Oscar in less than 40 gallons. Reply crai 2010-01-14
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Some of the bestest comments - here's the beef!
I have always loved oscars since I was a young boy. My first oscar was a wild one caught in Miami FL. I was fishing with my brother and I caught a two inch baby with a net. I yelled to my brother "I caught a Oscar" I didn't know they had them in cannals in DADE COUNTY in 1984. I kept it in a bucket till I was to return to New York two days later. To make a long story short. I kept Tucco for 12 year and he grew to thirteen inches and lived in a 29gl, 55gl, 75gl tank. He was not all that colorful but full of sponk. He never bit me nor did he have any tankmates but everyday after school and work he would be so happy to see me or the food I was to give him and this went on for years, even when I moved out of my parents home. He never got sick cause I never fed him live foods only cichlid pellets or sticks. Oscars are a wonderful pet if you are willing to give them what they need and don't fall for the "they got to eat gold fish" thing. Tell the truth I always wanted to give Tucco goldfish but I was always scared he would get some sickness and I would lose my pet. I would get teased by my brother about this but tucco was mine and I raised him and he was my responsibility. I chose to take Him from his home in FL and bring him to NYC in a cooler even though my Dad said "he would die before we even got to VA". Tucco proved him very wrong. All in All if you have the time to raise an Oscar, wild or store bought, do it right. Feed it, water changes, stay away from live foods. You will have a very healthy pet and one that will in my opinion love you dearly for it. Oh and Tucco never had HITHD or any other sickness. Just fat and happy. R.I.P. Tucco. you are truly missed buddy. Reply Pascal 2009-06-02
I've had an oscar for a few years now. They are a great fish with great personalities. I have a few tanks and my Oscar is my favourite. I find they aren't as hardy as other cichlids but with regular maitenance and a varied diet they are relatively easy to keep. Good tank mates are plecos, Silver Dollars and some cichlids. I recommend an oscar to anyone. They have a great personality. Reply Callum 2008-11-12
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Questions - Answers
Just got two oscars today. They were very lively at the store now that they are home they are very shy and have been hiding is this normal? Reply cari 2010-02-26
Replies (2) They're just stressed. Make sure there's plenty of shelter for them and they'll come around.... Katie Yes it is normal i have had oscar's for years now loved them all my life when you buy a new oscar or any cichlid they become shy for 1 week or 2 then start to learn you are their owner. Now all my oscars know i am their owner. They are on a very happy diet and love seeing me when i get back from college. They love getting petted on the head. They sometimes jump out water for food. I will suggest an oscar for anyone just not beginners as they need to be looked after well. On their diet they can get a desease known as hole in the head which needs attended to asap. As it is very harmful to them. If you need to get more info on them you may contact me on weediv1993@hotmail. Co. Uk and you can put a load of fish in with them. After a while i have turtles and newts and a load of different species of cat fish in with mine. Contact me soon thanks.... David Fernie
I just bought an Oscar today and his name is Tike and he is very shy towards me. When I got him he was just abundant and playful, and now since he's in his new home he is shy towards me, and why? I have tried to feed him frozen shrimp and pellet foods but nothing yet. Should I wait a day to feed him again? Either way he is very personable and demands being alone with a pelco(Leppy) in the tank. It's a 30 gal for now and then I'll move him into the 120 gallon when he gets bigger. So what should I do with Tike now to make him learn and know that I am his owner and not to be shy towards me? Thanks everyone this site is awesome! Reply Asian Fisherman5893 2008-09-25
Replies (1) Just give him time and he'll come around.... Katie
I bought two red oscars at petsmart. They told me that that these oscars will only get up to 8 inches long. Are there species of the oscar that only get to this size? Also, i bought 4 tiger oscars when they were 1 inch long. 3 of them are 4 inches long now. The other one is still an inch but better looking than the others. Are some oscars midgets? Reply Tim Luna 2010-02-28
Replies (1) That is incorrect. All Oscars should reach 12". Most likely, the smallest Oscar isn't getting his adequate share of food. You may have to feed the others until they're full, then feed the smaller one. Also, if your tank is too small, it could be stunting his growth. Keep in mind that for 6 Oscars, you're going to need a minimum of a 60 gallon tank (absolute MINIMUM!).... Katie
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Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I discovered this site a few months ago, and have become a huge fan of it's informative and interactive format. So, Bravo to the Animal-World team for their contributions to the overall comprehension and well-being of our beloved animals. I currently have four Oscar cichlids, a tiger named Thor, a red named Medusa, and two lutinos named Ringo and Rawhide. I have kept aquarium fish for more than twenty years, and the Oscar fish have always been my favorite. There is no comparison in terms of interaction and "wet pet" status. I've read where Green Terrors, Red Devil, and Midas cichlids have all been equated with the Oscar as a celebratory wet pet. I've kept multiples of all those fish, and while extraordinary in their own right, in my opinion, they are no where near equal to the Oscar as "wet pet". In my opinion, the level of of intelligence and responsiveness in the Oscar is unsurpassed. The aforementioned cichlids are far too aggressive to be considered really interactive. They defend their territory (whatever they feel that might be), to an extreme that would inhibit any attempts to clean or water change. With the several Oscars I've housed over my twenty years in the profession, the only "major" aggression would occur when there were eggs or fry are present. That's not to suggest that I have not had the occasional "mad dog" Oscar, but, statistically, they have been far superior to all other cichlids I've maintained as "wet pet." I said all this to say, that if you are considering a "pet" for your aquarium, with all things being equal, the Oscar is the absolute BEST choice...without a doubt, Just ensure that you have the proper housing, as they are large fish. As a minimum, 55-75 gallon aquariums are required to adequately house one. Reply Ricky 2009-10-08
Hello My Name is Dan. I own 2 oscars in a 20 gallon hexagon tank and man do i love them. i bought them at walmart one afternoon and i have been in love with them since. i am 17 so when i am doing my homework they just look at me and try and help me out. When it comes to feeding they are the very quick. Their names are bert (male) and earie (female). Bert is the white one and earie is the red one. they get along great! I havent bred them yet but on somedays it looks like they want to! lol~ Anyways if anyone is bored with looking at a goldfish get these fish. Go recycle 2 months of cans and bottles like i did and get these fish. They are great fish and this site helped me out with the preparation, so thanks for that! Reply Dan 2006-04-26
great site, i loved the info. you guys gave me helped out a whole lot. my oscar has a couple of holes in his head, i hope he doesnt die cuz i know its frum lack of care. thnx again. Reply Kevin 2006-02-15

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