Their preferred temperature is in that mid-range. HabitatĪstronotus ocellatus prefers cooler water than many cichlids, and can handle a range of 74-79 degrees F. Adult Oscars have 13-15 dorsal spines, 2 anal spines, 14-16 dorsal soft rays, and 10 anal soft rays they also have 11 pectoral rays. Their bodies are covered with dark spots along their flanks, which may be red or blue. The body shape is very deep, compressed laterally with a dorsal fin that has a longer base than other cichlids. Lower temperatures reduce activity levels and prolonged exposure to 65☏ (18☌) may result in sickness. Avoid keeping with fish less than 1/2 inch as well as long-finned fish such as angelfish and gouramis, who may become entangled in their long fins.Īlthough Oscars are more tolerant of cooler water temperatures than many other cichlids, they do best at 75 to 80☏ (24 to 27☌). It should not be kept with small tetras, dwarfs livebearers, rasboras, guppies, bettas, neon tetras, etc because they are too easily attacked and eaten by an adult Astronotus ocellatus. This fish will eat any small fish or invertebrates it can fit in its mouth. It can be kept with smaller tank mates if its aquarium is sufficiently large. The Oscar cichlid is an aggressive fish that requires a large tank. In 1991, Mannucci suggested that there were two subspecies of Astronotus ocellatus one which is found south-eastwards throughout Southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize while a second subspecies is only found northwards through Venezuela up into Guyana and Northern Brazil, which he named Astronotus ocellatus fischeri. in 1988 due to similar morphological features between it and other species within its genus. The species was formerly named Astronotus ocellatus but was reclassified to Astronotus ocellatus by Kullander et al. The Oscar originates from Rio Xingu in Brazil, where it lives in small creeks, often with substrates of fine sand. Be careful not to overfeed them though they are prone to bloating when given an excess of food. Vegetable matter such as spirulina algae and blanched vegetables may also form part of their diet. In an aquarium environment, live foods such as worms or daphnia should form a substantial part of their diet, supplemented by regular feedings with pellets and flakes which should contain high levels of protein. Females are less colorful and smaller than males but will show their breeding colors during the breeding season. Males tend to be larger than females with long fins and bright coloration. This species can grow up to 14 inches in length. It is a hardy species that is easy to keep but can be aggressive toward its own kind, as well as other tankmates. Astronotus ocellatus overviewĪstronotus ocellatus is a large, attractive species of cichlid native to South America that is popular in home aquariums. Despite its relatively large size, this fish has been kept by hobbyists since it was first described in 1852 due to its attractive appearance and temperament in captivity.Īstronotus ocellatus is a stunning Oscar cichlid native to the Amazon river basin in South America, including the lower parts of the Tocantins, Tapajós, Xingu, Amazon rivers and their tributaries, as well as lakes such as the Palcazu lake in central Brazil.Īstronotus ocellatus (commonly known as the Oscar Cichlid) are large, showy cichlids that are easily identified by their unique red and blue patches along the lower edge of their gill cover and their bright orange to yellow dorsal fin spines. This makes it one of the largest of all freshwater fish species available to aquarists. The Astronotus ocellatus, more commonly known as the Oscar Cichlid, comes from Mexico and Guatemala in the Central American river basin and can grow to over 14 (36 cm) inches in length. Last updated on July 3rd, 2022 at 10:11 pm
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