Other Freshwater
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
FreshwaterCichlidaeLeast Concern
About
Oscars are a popular freshwater aquarium fish known for their intelligence and interactive behavior. They have an oval-shaped body and can recognize their owners, often begging for food and rearranging tank decorations.
- Average size
- 12-16 inches
- Colors
- Typically dark brown or black with orange, red, or yellow blotches; variations include albino, leucistic, and tiger patterns.
- Diet
- Omnivorous; in the wild, they consume insects, crustaceans, and small fish. In captivity, they are fed commercial cichlid pellets, live, frozen, or freeze-dried foods.
- Region
- Not native to the US; found in South America, specifically the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraná river basins.