Astronotus ocellatus >> aquarium-fish.info

by •

Species Profile | Images | Breeding Report | Similar Species

back to the cichlid index

How to look afterAstronotus ocellatus

Oscar, Velvet cichlid

(Agassiz, 1831)

(Other members of the genus Astronotus)

ADULT SIZE: 35 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 25-30 C

FOOD: Feed Astronotus ocellatus live and dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Brazil, Peru

AQUARIUM CARE: The Oscar is an aquarium favourite, being much more ‘pet like’ in its behaviour, it is a firm favourite with many aquarists. They are a large, long-lived species, and need to be well cared for if they are to thrive. They spend much of their time resting and playing, though they will ‘strike’ when feeding. They particularly relish nutricious livefoods; earthworms, prawn, fish etc. A good feeding readily triggers spawning.

BREEDING: Eggs are typically laid on a cleaned surface. A piece of slate is ideal, though they will dig a pit in the gravel if not provided with a suitable substrate. The eggs are fanned by both parents, and the the young grow quickly; like their parents they can eat endlessly.

Have you bred Astronotus ocellatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Astronotus ocellatus breeding reports

There are several man-made varieties of oscar. This is the albino.

Albino oscar

BREEDING: Eggs are typically laid on a cleaned surface. A piece of slate is ideal, though they will dig a pit in the gravel if not provided with a suitable substrate. The eggs are fanned by both parents, and the the young grow quickly; like their parents they can eat endlessly.

Have you bred Astronotus ocellatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute – whatever your experience!

2 breeders have filled in breeding reports, a summary of the results are shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here.

To add details of your experiences of Astronotus ocellatus, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Water conditions: Moderately hard and alkaline Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Active, but not aggresive Community tank?: Only with species of similar size
Spawning Method: Adult fish removed from tank Breeding problems:
Poor egg survival
Sex ratio: Roughly equal Breeding difficulty: Easy
Sucess: Average Years Experience: 5
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 22nd July 2009 Breeding date: 2004
Breeder: Location:
Water conditions: Neutral Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Active, but not aggresive Community tank?: Doubtful, only with VERY calm fish
Spawning Method: Other (see below) Breeding problems: none
Sex ratio: Somewhat female heavy Breeding difficulty: Easy
Sucess: Average Years Experience: 2
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 20th May 2008 Breeding date: 2006
Breeder: ibrahim faizan Location: maldives