Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a freshwater species with an adult-size reference of about 35 cm. It needs at least 300 litres and one individual, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Tous les niveaux
Taille adulte
35 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 300 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
GH
2 - 15 dGH
KH
1 - 7 dKH
TDS
40 - 295 ppm
Conductivité
63 - 461 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Astronotus ocellatus; the verified classification records genus Astronotus, family Cichlidae, subfamily Astronotinae, order Cichliformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Oscar is normally kept as a single individual and does not require conspecifics. The minimum reference is one individual; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Oscar needs an aquarium of at least 300 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of one individual. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater species; the card's reference values are 22–28 °C, pH 6–7.5. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is a species to combine with caution, with a generally semi-aggressive temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Use a secure cover and close escape gaps. Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origine et répartition géographiques
A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- Oscar has a generally semi-aggressive temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- Oscars are opportunistic, generalized omnivores with a voracious appetite. In the aquarium, they should be fed a varied diet consisting of high-quality large cichlid pellets as their staple food. This should be supplemented with live or frozen foods such as earthworms, crickets, shrimp, and fish fillets. Occasional vegetable matter, such as peas or blanched zucchini, can also be offered to aid digestion.
- Espérance de vie
- 10-20 years
- Taille adulte
- 35 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Solitary
- Oscar is normally kept as a single individual and does not require conspecifics. The reference minimum is one individual and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Juvenile Oscars are fast-growing and require feeding two to three times a day with nutrient-rich foods to support their development. As they mature into adults, their feeding frequency should be reduced to once a day or even every other day. Overfeeding is a common issue that leads to obesity and severe water quality degradation. It is beneficial to introduce a fasting day once a week to help clear their digestive system and maintain overall health.
- Charge biologique
- Extreme
- The Oscar is a large and heavy-bodied cichlid that produces a significant amount of biological waste. To handle this high bioload, a robust filtration system, such as a large canister filter or sump, is absolutely essential. Regular weekly water changes of at least 30-50% are necessary to keep nitrate levels low and prevent health issues. High-quality mechanical and biological filtration media must be cleaned frequently to maintain optimal water parameters.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- In nature, Oscars inhabit slow-moving or stagnant waters, such as oxbow lakes, river bends, and flooded forests. Therefore, they prefer a gentle to moderate water flow in the aquarium rather than strong currents. While high-capacity filtration is necessary to manage their waste, the filter outputs should be positioned or baffled to avoid creating turbulent areas. Providing plenty of quiet resting spots, using large decorations or driftwood, will help keep the fish calm and stress-free.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Oscars are powerful and muscular fish that present a high risk of jumping, especially during feeding or when startled. They can easily leap out of an open aquarium or dislodge loose lids, potentially leading to fatal injuries. A heavy, tight-fitting lid or a secure canopy is absolutely mandatory to keep them safely inside the tank. Additionally, any gaps around filters or heaters should be blocked or covered to prevent escape attempts.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Oscars are substrate spawners that form monogamous pairs and can be challenging to breed due to the difficulty of sexing. A compatible pair will select and meticulously clean a flat rock or slate to serve as their spawning site. The female can lay up to several thousand eggs, which both parents will aggressively guard and fan. Once the fry hatch, the parents will continue to protect them and may even move them to pre-dug pits in the substrate for safety.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- With caution
- The cohabitation profile is a species to combine with caution, with a generally semi-aggressive temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Niveau dans le bac
- All levels
- In the aquarium, Oscars are very active fish that will swim and explore all levels of the water column. However, they tend to spend the majority of their time in the middle and lower zones, where they search for food and interact with their environment. They require plenty of open swimming space in these areas, combined with large, stable decorations like driftwood and rocks. Keepers should ensure that any hardscape is securely positioned, as Oscars are known to dig and rearrange their substrate.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2,8 ± 0,32 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.625
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.03162, b = 3.02
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité modérée (36 / 100)
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