Albino Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

The Albino Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is the pet-fish cichlid: a white body washed in orange-red marbling, pink eyes, and a personality that recognizes the person who feeds it. Intermediate care and semi-aggressive, it grows into a 12 inch showpiece that needs a big tank and strong filtration. Browse our freshwater livestock and supplies to set up for one.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 75 gallons for one adult, 125 gallons or more for a pair. Juveniles grow fast, often an inch a month, so plan the big tank from day one.
• Filtration: heavy. Oscars are messy eaters, so run a canister or sump rated well above the tank volume and change 25 to 30 percent of the water weekly.
• Water parameters: 74 to 81°F, pH 6.0 to 8.0, soft to moderately hard water.
• Feeding: carnivore. A quality cichlid pellet as the staple, plus frozen shrimp, krill and earthworms as treats. Skip feeder goldfish, they carry disease and poor nutrition.
• Aquascape: sturdy decor and a secure lid. Oscars rearrange gravel and uproot plants, and a startled one can jump.

Specifications

Compatibility

Keep with fish too big to swallow: large cichlids like severums and other big South American cichlids, silver dollars, and large plecos in a roomy tank. Want a different look? We also carry the Snow White Albino Oscar, Tiger Oscar, Red Oscar, Longfin Oscar and Wild Zebra Oscar. Anything that fits in its mouth will eventually be eaten, so no tetras, small cories or dwarf shrimp.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Cichlid Gold Pellet, a color-enhancing staple for oscars
• Vitalis Cichlid Carnivore Pellets for a high-protein diet
• Water care and conditioners for the big weekly water changes
• Water test kits to keep an eye on nitrate

FAQ

How fast will it grow?
Quickly. A 2 inch juvenile can pass 6 inches within six months with good feeding and clean water.

Can it live in a 55 gallon?
Only while young. An adult needs 75 gallons at minimum.

Are albino oscars more delicate?
Not meaningfully. They are line-bred color forms with the same care as the wild type, though their eyes are more light sensitive, so avoid blasting them with bright lighting.