Quick Overview The Tiger Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a legendary South American cichlid beloved by “monster fish” keepers. Famous for their incredible intelligence—they can even learn to recognize their owners and beg for food—these large, robust fish boast a beautiful, marbled pattern of fiery orange and dark velvet black. While highly interactive, they are aggressive and territorial, requiring careful tank mate selection and plenty of swimming space.
Tank Requirements & Local Care Tips
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Care Level: Intermediate
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Minimum Tank Size: 75 Gallons (for a single adult Oscar)
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Water Temperature: 23°C to 27°C
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Temperament: Semi-aggressive to Aggressive (Best kept with other large, robust species, or alone)
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Bacolod Hobbyist Tip: Oscars are famously messy eaters and produce a heavy bioload. Since our local water temperatures in Bacolod are naturally great for them, your main focus should be on heavy filtration! Drop by our store to check out heavy-duty canister filters, high-quality cichlid pellets, and robust hardscape materials like driftwood that these strong fish cannot easily knock over.
