Oscar

Astronotus ocellatus

Least Concern Freshwater

Longueur maximale

45,0 cm

Poids maximum

1,6 kg

Couleur

Dark olive-brown to blackish body …

Famille

Cichlidae

Catégorie

Aquarium Fish

À propos

The oscar is a large, intelligent cichlid native to the Amazon basin. Known for its dog-like personality, it can recognize its owner and may beg for food. Oscars rearrange their tank decor and require spacious aquariums with robust filtration.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	45,0 cm
Maximum Weight	1,6 kg

Coloration

Dark olive-brown to blackish body with irregular wavy orange-red markings forming a marbled or reticulated pattern; prominent black ocellus with orange ring at the upper tail base.

Habitat & Distribution

Slow-moving rivers and floodplains of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, South America. Warm, murky water (22-28°C, pH 6-8). Inhabits areas with submerged logs and dense vegetation; pair-bonding cichlid.

Type d'eau

Freshwater

Aire de répartition

Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, including Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Inhabits slow, deep, turbid rivers, flooded forests, and large lago floodplain lakes.

Pays

🇧🇷 Brazil

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Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Oscar is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Comestibilité et gastronomie

Goût

Not consumed — popular ornamental cichlid kept for its bold patterning and personality; occasionally eaten in parts of South America but primarily an aquarium species.

Informations sur la pêche

Poisson de pêche sportive

Oui

Entretien en aquarium

Niveau d'entretien

Tempérament

Aggressive

Taille minimale de l'aquarium

280 litres

Température

22-25

Plage de pH

6.0-8.0

Check aquarium compatibility for Oscar with other fish species.

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Taxonomy

Ordre	Cichliformes (Cichlids and allies)
Famille	Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Espèces	Astronotus ocellatus

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
Spanish	Oscar

Foire aux questions

Can you eat Oscar?

Not consumed — popular ornamental cichlid kept for its bold patterning and personality; occasionally eaten in parts of South America but primarily an aquarium species.

How big does Oscar get?

Oscar can grow up to 45.0 cm long and weigh 1.6 kg.

Is Oscar good for aquariums?

Oscar has a moderate care level, a aggressive temperament, requires a minimum tank size of 280 liters.

Where is Oscar found?

Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, including Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Inhabits slow, deep, turbid rivers, flooded forests, and large lago floodplain lakes. Slow-moving rivers and floodplains of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, South America. Warm, murky water (22-28°C, pH 6-8). Inhabits areas with submerged logs and dense vegetation; pair-bonding cichlid.

Is Oscar endangered?

The conservation status of Oscar is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Oscar belong to?

Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) belongs to the family Cichlidae (Cichlids) in the order Cichliformes (Cichlids and allies).