Oscar Cichlid
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Germano_Roberto_Sch%C3%BC%C3%BCr&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="User:Germano Roberto Schüür (page does not exist)">Germano Roberto Schüür</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
NameOscar Cichlid
Scientific NameAstronotus ocellatus
Common NamesOscar, Tiger Oscar, Velvet Cichlid, Marble Cichlid, Apaiari
FamilyCichlidae
OriginSouth America, Amazon Basin, Orinoco River Basin
Temperamentaggressive
Dietomnivore
Care Levelintermediate
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)75
Max Size (Inches)14
Water TypeFreshwater
Temperature Range (°F)74-81
pH Range6.0-7.5
Compatible SpeciesGreen Terror Cichlid, Jack Dempsey Cichlid, Silver Arowana, Large Plecostomus, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid
Description
The Oscar Cichlid is a large, intelligent, and popular freshwater fish known for its distinctive patterns and interactive personality. Native to South America, it can grow quite large and requires a spacious aquarium with robust filtration. While often kept as a single specimen, it can be housed with other large, similarly tempered fish in very large tanks.
