Care and Compatibility of Oscar Fish - Astronotus ocellatus


Introduction

The Oscar Fish (Astronotus ocellatus) is a popular species in aquariums due to its striking appearance and unique character. They are large and strong fish, with an oval shape and bright colors ranging from black, brown, orange, to red. They are native to South America and are found in warm and calm rivers and lakes. Oscars are known for their intelligence and ability to interact with their keepers.

Behavior

The Oscar Fish is known for its aggressive and territorial behavior. It is a large and robust fish that can defend its territory from other fish. It can display dominant behaviors and can be aggressive towards other fish in the aquarium, especially if they are smaller in size or have bright colors. It is recommended to keep them in a spacious aquarium with other fish of similar size and compatible behavioral characteristics.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Astronotus ocellatus is difficult to distinguish when they are young. As they mature, males tend to develop larger heads and more robust bodies compared to females. Additionally, males often have a longer, pointed dorsal fin.

Reproduction

The reproduction of Oscar Fish is a complex and challenging process in an aquarium environment. Breeding Oscars requires a larger aquarium and specific conditions of water, temperature, and feeding. Oscars are oviparous fish, and females can lay hundreds of eggs on flat surfaces or in prepared cavities. The incubation and rearing of the fry can be complicated and require special care. Successful breeding is usually achieved in specialized facilities.

Aquarium Conditions

Astronotus ocellatus is a territorial fish that appreciates open spaces and hiding spots. A spacious aquarium with rocks, driftwood, and sturdy plants that can withstand its activity is recommended. Maintaining good water quality and an efficient filtration system is important.

Feeding

Oscars are predators and have a carnivorous diet. They primarily feed on small fish, crustaceans, and insects. In captivity, you can feed them live foods such as small fish, shrimps, and worms, as well as high-quality commercial foods in the form of pellets or tablets. Make sure to offer a varied and balanced diet to maintain their health and vitality.

Complexity

Astronotus ocellatus is of moderate care. It requires a balanced diet and regular aquarium maintenance. It can be tolerant of beginner mistakes but needs attention to detail to prevent health and behavioral issues.


In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Astronotus ocellatus (Oscar Fish) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Astronotus ocellatus (Oscar Fish) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Oscar Fish with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 35 species compatible with the Astronotus ocellatus (Oscar Fish) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (35)

Compatible (6 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Lemon Catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Please note that the catfish must not fit in the oscar 's mouth.


Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Knowing Yourself From Small (5 Species)

The oscar fish can live with others of the same species if they are used to their presence among themselves, it is probable that between the males they compete for territory and there are aggressions.


Oscar Fish - Astronotus ocellatus

Oscar Fish

Astronotus ocellatus

They can live together if they have known each other since they were very small, that is, they grew up and grew up together. it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Green Terror - Andinoacara rivulatus

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Midas king fish - Amphilophus citrinellus

Midas king fish

Amphilophus citrinellus

Flowerhorn cichlid - Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Jack Dempsey Cichlid - Rocio octofasciata

Jack Dempsey Cichlid

Rocio octofasciata

Similar Sizes (4 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Black bullhead - Ameiurus melas

Black bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus - Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Common carp - Cyprinus carpio

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

With Reservation (17 Species)

By nature these fish know that they should not eat other fish with an exoskeleton but it could be the case that they try to eat it out of hunger or because of the fish's personalize.


Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Black Ghost Knife Fish - Apteronotus albifrons

Black Ghost Knife Fish

Apteronotus albifrons

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Red-bellied Piranha - Pygocentrus nattereri

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Satena Pike Cichlid - Crenicichla strigata Günther

Satena Pike Cichlid

Crenicichla strigata Günther

Frontosa Cichlid - Cyphotilapia frontosa

Frontosa Cichlid

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Pez Loro - Red Parrot

Pez Loro

Red Parrot

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Tener en cuenta que el Pleco no debe caber en la boca del oscar.


Showdown over territory (1 Species)

Fish can live together as long as the space is spacious enough to delimit a territory, otherwise there may be aggressions for competing for the territory.


Rio Grande cichlid - Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Rio Grande cichlid

Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Considerable size difference (1 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Compatible if space is enough (1 Species)

If they have space and there are no partners there should be no problems


Severum Cichlid - Heros efasciatus

Severum Cichlid

Heros efasciatus

Oscar Fish

Astronotus ocellatus

Oscar Fish - Astronotus ocellatus
  • Ph: 6 - 8
  • Temperature (c°): 22 - 30
  • Measures: 25 cm - 30cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    150 Liters - 40 Gallons
  • Alimentación: Carnivores, Piscivore
  • Colores: Black, Orange, White
  • Comportamiento: Aggressive, Territorial
  • Habitad: American
  • Preferencias del Acuario: Logs, Rocks
  • Tamaño: Big
  • Taxonomía: Cichlids, Fish
  • Tipo de Agua: Sweet water, Tropical waters
  • Velocidad de nado o movimiento: Normal
  • Zona de Nado: Swim in the middle of the aquarium