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Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Tank Conditions: 72-77Ôø?F; pH 6.0-8.0; KH 5-19
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 1'
Color Form: Orange, Red
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Amazon, South America
Family: Cichlidae
The Red Oscar is a color variation of Astronotus ocellatus Oscar. It is also known as the Marble Cichlid or the Velvet Cichlid and is a colorful addition to a large aquarium. The Red Oscar is orange-red with dark gray shading and an eyespot on the dorsal fin. They will form a pair, make a nuclear family and are generally peaceful in nature. It is hard to tell the difference between the male and females, but during spawning the female has obvious genital papilla.
The Red Oscar requires a large aquarium of at least 70 gallons with a deep sand bottom and a few large rocks. They will dig up plants; so any that are in the tank should be potted with the root surfaces covered with rocks. Using floating plants is a good compromise to this problem. Oscars are hearty eaters and should only be kept with other fish that are of the same size, as they will eat any that are smaller than themselves.
A large tank should be used for breeding, as much as 100 gallons if possible. The Red Oscar will spawn in soft or hard water as long as it is clean and clear and has a temperature between 79-86Ôø?F. The female will lay from 1,000-2,000 eggs on rocks that have been carefully cleaned. The eggs are opaque at first, turning transparent in 24 hours. The brood will be carefully guarded and cared for and the fry will be kept in pits and may even be covered. When they are free-swimming, the fry should be fed Cyclops. Sometimes the fry will cling to their parents.
The Red Oscar is a carnivore that is a predaceous and hearty eater. Oscars will eat a variety of meaty foods, including small fish and earthworms, Cichlid pellets, larger flake food, ocean plankton, bloodworms, and tubifex worms.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3" to 4"
Red Oscar
(Astronotus ocellatus)
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