Red Tiger Oscar – Astronotus ocellatus

Red Tiger Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a striking and intelligent cichlid known for its deep black body contrasted by vivid red-orange tiger-like markings. These large, personable fish are popular among aquarists for their interactive behavior and bold appearance.

Description:

Common Name: Red Tiger Oscar

Scientific Name: Astronotus ocellatus

Family: Cichlidae

Size: Up to 1214 inches (3035 cm)

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Difficulty: Moderate

Native Region:

Amazon River Basin, South America

Aquarium Setup:

Tank Size: Minimum 75 gallons for one adult

Temperature: 7481F (2327C)

pH: 6.07.5

Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

Decor: Use large rocks, driftwood, and minimal plants (they may uproot them); open swimming space is important.

Additional Tips:

Behavior: Intelligent and territorial; may recognize their owner and interact at feeding time.

Tankmates: Best kept with other large, robust fish (e.g., large catfish, other cichlids); avoid small or timid species.

Diet: Carnivorous feed high-quality pellets, frozen foods, earthworms, or occasional live feeders.

Maintenance: High bioload strong filtration and regular water changes are essential.