{"product_id":"red-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus-freshwater","title":"Red Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRed Oscar\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAstronotus ocellatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is the Oscar with the black mostly bred out, leaving a body washed in orange red from the gill plates back, set off by darker fins and face. It has everything that makes Oscars one of the most loved big fish in the hobby: it recognizes its owner, begs at the glass, sulks when you rearrange its rocks, and lives for well over a decade. It is also a fast growing, heavy eating fish that needs a big tank and serious filtration, so it rewards the keeper who plans for the adult rather than the juvenile. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efish collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F9A825;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThat 3 inch fish becomes a 10 to 12 inch fish.\u003c\/strong\u003e Young Oscars can put on an inch a month. Plan on a 75 gallon tank or larger for one adult before you take one home, with heavy filtration and a tight lid.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eAbout the Red Color\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe red is a selectively bred color line, not a separate species, so care is identical to our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus-freshwater-cichlid\"\u003eTiger Oscar\u003c\/a\u003e. Juveniles often show some grey or darker marbling that fades as the red spreads with age, and color on any Oscar tracks its health: good food, clean water, and a calm tank bring out the deepest red, while stress or poor water turns an Oscar pale. A color enhancing pellet such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-gold-pellet\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Gold\u003c\/a\u003e helps hold the red naturally. Note that Oscars change color with mood, so a red Oscar that goes pale for an afternoon after a water change is behaving normally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 gallons for a single adult, with 125 gallons or more for a pair or an Oscar with large tankmates. A juvenile can start smaller, but it will outgrow a small tank within months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oscars are messy eaters that produce a lot of waste. Run a canister such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sicce-whale-canister-filter\"\u003eSicce Whale Canister Filter\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquatop-forza-canister-filter\"\u003eAquatop Forza Canister Filter\u003c\/a\u003e rated well above the tank size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater changes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 to 50 percent weekly. High nitrate over time is linked to hole in the head disease, so do not let water changes slide. Treat new water with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 74 to 81°F, pH 6.0 to 8.0. Stability matters more than hitting a perfect number.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e a quality cichlid pellet as the staple, such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-gold-pellet\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Gold\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-staple\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Staple\u003c\/a\u003e, with frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-krill-cube-3-5oz\"\u003ekrill\u003c\/a\u003e as a treat. Feed juveniles small amounts two or three times a day and adults once a day. Skip feeder goldfish, which carry disease and offer poor nutrition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecor:\u003c\/strong\u003e smooth rock, driftwood, and heavy ornaments that cannot be tipped. Oscars dig and move things, and loose plants will be uprooted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oscars can jump, especially when startled. Keep the tank covered.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAstronotus ocellatus\u003c\/em\u003e, red color line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRed Oscar, Red Velvet Oscar, Oscar Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive, predatory toward small fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrent size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 3 inches, juvenile\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 to 12 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 gallons for one adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e74 to 81°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore leaning omnivore, cichlid pellets plus frozen treats\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 to 15 years or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaptive bred color line. The wild species is from the Amazon basin of South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany keepers give an Oscar a tank of its own, and that is the simplest way to keep one happy. If you want company, tankmates need to be too big to swallow and the tank needs to be large. A mixed color pair with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus-freshwater-cichlid\"\u003eTiger Oscar\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/snow-white-albino-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus-freshwater-cichlid\"\u003eSnow White Albino Oscar\u003c\/a\u003e makes a striking display in a big enough tank. A school of full grown \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/silver-dollar-metynnis-argenteus-freshwater\"\u003eSilver Dollars\u003c\/a\u003e works well as dither fish once the Oscar and the dollars are close in size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat goes wrong: anything small enough to fit in its mouth, which includes tetras, guppies, rasboras, small corys, and shrimp, will eventually be eaten. Small plecos and snails often end up as snacks. Two Oscars in a tank that is too small will fight, and one usually ends up hiding and stunted. Live plants are usually dug up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-gold-pellet\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Gold Pellet\u003c\/a\u003e color enhancing staple for that red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-staple\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Staple\u003c\/a\u003e everyday pellet to rotate in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-krill-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Krill Cube\u003c\/a\u003e frozen treat a couple of times a week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquatop-forza-canister-filter\"\u003eAquatop Forza Canister Filter\u003c\/a\u003e for the heavy waste load\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-texas-holey-rock-resin-cichlid-cave\"\u003eHikari Texas Holey Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e heavy decor it cannot tip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-nitrate-test-kit-aquarium\"\u003eFritz Nitrate Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e to keep an eye on the number that matters most\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it stay red?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRed Oscars usually get redder as they grow, as long as they are eating well and the water is clean. Every Oscar goes pale when stressed, after a water change, or at night, and the color returns once it settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big will it get, and how fast?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e10 to 12 inches as an adult, and a healthy juvenile can grow about an inch a month early on. Buy the adult tank first, or at least have it planned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two Oscars together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, in a tank of 125 gallons or more, and ideally raised together from a young size. Pairs that bond often become inseparable, but two Oscars in a tank that is too small will fight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy Oscar is lying on its side after I moved the rocks. Is it dying?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually not. Oscars are famous for sulking, lying still or going pale after a water change, a rearrangement, or a scare. Test the water to be sure, keep the lights low, and it normally bounces back within a day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I feed it feeder fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe do not recommend it. Feeder fish are a common source of parasites and disease, and they are poor nutrition compared to a good pellet. Oscars take pellets eagerly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49318857310427,"sku":"8183135","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}