Assorted Oscar

The oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a large cichlid from the Amazon basin, sold here as assorted young fish covering the tiger, red and albino lines that have been bred from the wild form. Oscars are known less for colour than for behaviour: they watch the room, recognise the person who feeds them, and rearrange the tank to suit themselves. They grow quickly from the small fish sold in shops to a heavy adult.

Aquarium care

• Grows large. Buy only if a big tank is already in place or firmly planned.
• Heavy feeder and heavy waste producer; needs strong filtration and frequent water changes.
• Will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth.
• Moves substrate, decor and plants around, so anchor anything that matters.
• Takes quality cichlid pellets as a staple, with frozen foods offered as variety.
• Feeder fish are not necessary and carry disease risk; a good pellet diet is better.

Best kept alone, as a pair, or with robust fish of similar size in a tank large enough that neither is cornered. Small community fish, shrimp and delicate species are not compatible. This is a long-term commitment rather than an impulse purchase.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the freshwater fish collection for what is in.