{"product_id":"red-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus","title":"Red Oscar | Astronotus ocellatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Red Oscar is a true wet pet — it learns its keeper, begs at the glass and grows into a big, intelligent personality fish clad in bold red and black. Reaching 30–38 cm, it gets large and messy, so plan for a serious tank and powerful filtration; in return you get one of the most rewarding cichlids in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAstronotus ocellatus is native to the slow-moving whitewater rivers, flooded forests and backwaters of the Amazon basin across Brazil, Peru, Colombia and beyond. It lives among submerged wood and root tangles in warm, soft to neutral water, hunting smaller fish and invertebrates. The Red Oscar is a captive-bred colour form of this wide-ranging species.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA large, deep-bodied cichlid with a broad head and thick lips. The Red strain replaces much of the wild marbling with rich red-orange over a dark base, often with a red-ringed 'eye spot' at the tail base. Oscars change colour with mood and grow rapidly when young, developing real presence and individual markings.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntelligent, bold and predatory, Oscars are semi-aggressive and will eat anything they can swallow. They are best kept alone, as a bonded pair, or with other large, robust tankmates that can hold their own. They rearrange décor, dig substrate and interact with their keeper, but their size and appetite demand respect.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Feed a staple of quality large cichlid pellets, supplemented with frozen or fresh meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, earthworm and the occasional feeder-free protein. Avoid a diet of live feeder fish, which risks disease and poor nutrition. Do not overfeed — Oscars are greedy and produce a heavy waste load.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 380 L for a single adult, with 450 L or larger better, especially for more than one. Keep temperature at 23–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and GH soft to medium, around 5–20. Powerful, oversized filtration and frequent large water changes are essential to cope with the waste. Not plant safe — Oscars dig, uproot and eat soft plants, so use hardy or artificial décor.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOscars are open substrate spawners that clean a flat rock or slate and lay hundreds of eggs, which both parents guard diligently. Sexing is difficult outside breeding condition. A compatible, well-fed pair in a large tank will often spawn readily and make attentive, protective parents.\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\u003eRed Oscar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America (captive-bred strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–38 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory, semi-aggressive\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\u003e380 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, prawn, mussel, earthworm, frozen meaty foods\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\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to medium, 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 predator and big-cichlid 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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other large cichlids such as Severums, Green Terrors and Jack Dempseys, large plecos, Silver Dollars and other robust fish too big to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small or peaceful fish that will be eaten, slow long-finned species, and delicate invertebrates. Give careful thought before mixing with other very aggressive cichlids in anything but a huge tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232807698723,"sku":"AA1664","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232807731491,"sku":null,"price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232807764259,"sku":null,"price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-40cm)","offer_id":55351966073123,"sku":null,"price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Oscar_9e636da0-9ecb-42c7-9981-4a590cc7e5f9.jpg?v=1781699457","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}