Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

Scientific name: Astronotus ocellatus Agassiz, 1831

Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

The Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 45 cm (18 in). It is easy to keep and semi-aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 22–27°C (72–81°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: South America, rivers in Amazonia and Guyana.

Oscar care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Adult size
45 cm (18 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
22–27°C (72–81°F)
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
4–20 dGH (71–357 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore

Biology

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Astronotus ocellatus
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
45.7
Common length
24.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia and Brazil; French Guiana. Reported from Argentina.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Assuming tm

More south & central american cichlids

See all south & central american cichlids

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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