{"product_id":"leopard-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus","title":"Leopard Oscar | Astronotus ocellatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Leopard Oscar shows a bold, broken pattern of dark blotches and red-orange marbling over its flanks — a classic \"tiger\/leopard\" Oscar and a true \"wet pet\" that learns its keeper and begs at the glass. Remember it reaches 30–40 cm and is a messy eater, so it needs a serious tank and heavy filtration; in return it becomes one of the most rewarding personality fish in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Oscar, \u003cem\u003eAstronotus ocellatus\u003c\/em\u003e, comes from the slow-moving rivers, flooded forests and backwaters of the Amazon basin in South America. The water there is warm, soft to neutral and often tannin-stained, with plenty of submerged wood and leaf litter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA large, deep-bodied cichlid with a heavy head and expressive eyes. This form carries dark leopard-like blotches and red or orange marbling. All Oscars can shift colour intensity with mood and can grow to the size of a dinner plate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and predatory — an Oscar will eat anything small enough to swallow and can bully similar-sized fish. It is best kept alone, as a bonded pair, or with other robust large fish in a big tank. Expect it to rearrange décor and dig.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore with a big appetite. Feed a base of quality large cichlid pellets, supplemented with frozen or fresh prawn, mussel, fish fillet, earthworms and the occasional insect. Avoid a diet of live feeder fish, which risks disease and poor nutrition. Meaty foods with added vitamins help prevent \"hole-in-the-head\".\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan for a very large tank and oversized filtration — Oscars are among the messiest fish in the hobby. Use secure décor, a tight lid, and perform large regular water changes to keep nitrate down. Warm, stable water and pristine quality keep them thriving.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn open-substrate spawner. A compatible pair cleans a flat rock and lays hundreds of eggs, guarding the eggs and fry diligently as devoted parents. Pairs form best by growing a group together and letting them choose partners.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAstronotus ocellatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLeopard Oscar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 30–40 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–18 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive; predatory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (pellets, prawn, mussel, fish, worms)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–20 dGH (soft to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeepers with large tanks; big-fish and cichlid enthusiasts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo — will dig up and uproot most plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther large, robust fish that can hold their own: bigger cichlids (Jack Dempsey, green terror, Jaguar), large plecos, silver dollars and Australian natives of similar size, all in a suitably big tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny fish small enough to be eaten, delicate community fish, and long-finned or slow species. Avoid overstocking — Oscars need space and produce a heavy waste load.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232812777763,"sku":null,"price":105.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232812810531,"sku":null,"price":120.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232812843299,"sku":"AA3658","price":135.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-40cm)","offer_id":55351967842595,"sku":null,"price":155.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/leopard-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}