{"product_id":"albino-nemo-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus","title":"Albino Nemo Oscar | Astronotus ocellatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Oscar is the classic 'wet pet' — an intelligent, characterful cichlid that learns its keeper, begs at the glass and develops a real personality. The 'Nemo' is a bright, patchy orange-and-white patterned form of this South American giant. Reaching around 30–35 cm, it grows large and messy, so plan for a serious tank and filtration from the start; in return you get one of the most rewarding fish in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAstronotus ocellatus comes from the slow, warm rivers and floodplains of the Amazon basin in South America, where it lives among sunken wood and roots and hunts smaller fish and invertebrates. It appreciates warm, well-filtered water with some structure to claim as territory, though it will rearrange décor to suit itself.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA large, deep-bodied cichlid with a broad head and thick lips. The Nemo Oscar shows a lively patchwork of orange and white with red eyes, each fish uniquely marked. Oscars can shift their shade with mood and maturity, and the pattern develops and settles as the fish grows.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBold, curious and semi-aggressive. Oscars are predators that will eat anything small enough to swallow, and they become territorial, particularly when pairing or spawning. They are best kept singly, as a bonded pair, or with other large, robust tank mates that can hold their own. Handle with respect — a big Oscar is a powerful fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore with a hearty appetite. Feed a staple of quality large cichlid pellets, supplemented with frozen and fresh foods such as prawns, mussel, earthworms and the occasional feeder-free protein. Avoid a diet of live feeder fish, which risks disease and poor nutrition, and vary the menu to prevent hole-in-the-head issues linked to poor diet and water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 300 L for a single fish, with 450 L or larger strongly recommended, and more again for a pair. Keep the temperature at 23–28 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and hardness soft to moderately hard. Oscars are very messy and produce a lot of waste, so powerful filtration and regular large water changes are essential for their long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOscars are devoted parents. A bonded pair cleans a flat rock or slate and lays hundreds of eggs, guarding the eggs and fry closely. Pairs form best by raising a group of youngsters together and letting them choose partners. Given space and clean water, breeding in the home aquarium is very achievable.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAstronotus ocellatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlbino Nemo Oscar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America (captive-bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 30–35 cm (occasionally larger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–18 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive, predatory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: large cichlid pellets, prawns, mussel, earthworms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard, around 5–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge cichlid and 'wet pet' aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (uproots and rearranges plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates, in a large enough tank, include other large robust cichlids such as Jack Dempsey, green terror and Severums, large plecos, silver dollars and other big, sturdy fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with any fish small enough to be eaten, delicate or slow community fish, and fin-nippers. Do not house in an undersized tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232810385699,"sku":null,"price":37.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232810418467,"sku":"BA9166","price":42.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232810451235,"sku":null,"price":47.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-40cm)","offer_id":55351966499107,"sku":null,"price":52.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Albino_Nemo_Oscar_24e7a513-0a8c-4f8d-9cdb-a5282bf2425f.jpg?v=1781699393","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/albino-nemo-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}