| Oscars: |
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Astronotus ocellatus |
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7.2 |
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76-80 deg. F. |
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17 inches / 35 cm. |
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Do not place in tanks smaller than 65 gallons, 125+ gallons is preferred. |
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Egg-layers |
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Mainly Live Fish. Cichlid Pellets. |
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Not for the beginner, These gentle giants of the aquarium are generally slow moving and docile. Just when they get hungry and any other smaller fish swims by, well these Oscars can move surprisingly quick and make an instant lunch out of its tank mates. |
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Extremely personable and a hobbyists favorite. |
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Bright, but not direct sunlight. |
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Peaceful, but a very big appetite. Best in tanks 125+ gals. |
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Unfortunately all too often stores sell Oscar juveniles at an inch or so in size. Unsuspecting shoppers greedily purchase these awesome and very personable fish and are misled into believing they can keep a few of these fish in tanks smaller than 20 gallons. |
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This species is a quick grower and will catch unsuspecting owners suddenly with a fish that is outgrowing its environment. |
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As the Oscar grows they also fall under the common nickname of "Tank Buster" for often enough specimens will ram glass tanks so hard as to actually break the ends of the tank out, as well as break submerged heaters. Reinforced tanks, double walls and cages around the heaters are all strongly encouraged when keeping this species. |