{"product_id":"snow-white-albino-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus-freshwater-cichlid","title":"Snow White Albino Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)","description":"\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\n\u003cp\u003eThe Snow White Albino Oscar (\u003cem\u003eAstronotus ocellatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a selectively bred color form of the classic South American Oscar, trading the wild tiger pattern for a clean pearl-white body and bright red eyes. These are young juveniles at roughly 2 inches, so you get to watch the whole personality develop from the start. Oscars are famous for recognizing their keeper, begging at the glass, and rearranging the tank to their own taste, which makes them one of the most rewarding centerpiece fish in the hobby. Care level is intermediate: they are hardy and easy to feed, but they get big and they are messy, so the commitment is in tank size and filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e, or compare this one against our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus-freshwater-cichlid\"\u003eTiger Oscar\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank size.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single Oscar needs a 75 gallon aquarium as a long-term minimum, and 125 gallons is much better if you plan on tank mates. A 2 inch juvenile can be grown out in a 40 gallon breeder, but plan the upgrade before you buy, not after. They reach full size fast, often 8 inches or more inside the first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration and water changes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Oscars are heavy eaters and heavy waste producers. Over-filter with a canister or a large hang-on-back rated well above your tank volume, and commit to weekly water changes of 30 to 50 percent. Nitrate control is the single biggest factor in whether an Oscar grows out clean or develops head and lateral line erosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters.\u003c\/strong\u003e Temperature 74 to 81°F, pH 6.0 to 8.0, and moderate hardness. They are genuinely adaptable and care far more about stability and cleanliness than about hitting an exact number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet.\u003c\/strong\u003e Oscars are carnivore-leaning omnivores. At 2 inches, feed small sinking pellets and frozen foods two to three times a day. As they grow, move up to large carnivore pellets once daily with frozen krill, bloodworms, and mysis as treats. Skip feeder goldfish entirely: they are a thiaminase and disease risk with no nutritional upside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquascaping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep it simple and heavy. Oscars uproot plants, move substrate, and redecorate constantly. Smooth river rock, large driftwood, and sand or rounded gravel work best. Anything light enough to be flipped will be flipped. A tight-fitting lid is worth having since a startled Oscar can splash a surprising amount of water out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor note.\u003c\/strong\u003e Snow White Oscars can show faint peach or lemon shading through the body, and coloration deepens or lightens with mood, age, and diet. The red eye is the giveaway that this is a true albino strain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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:560px;font-size:0.95em;\"\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\u003cem\u003eAstronotus ocellatus\u003c\/em\u003e\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;\"\u003eSnow White Oscar, Albino White Oscar, Velvet Cichlid\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;\"\u003eApproximately 2 inches\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;\"\u003e12 to 14 inches\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 gallons (125+ gallons with tank mates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temperature\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 Range\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\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;\"\u003eAmazon basin, South America (captive bred color form)\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\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 only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\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\u003eOscars operate on a simple rule: anything that fits in the mouth is food, and anything that does not fit had better be able to hold its own. Plan the stocking list around adult sizes, not the 2 inch fish in front of you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood matches.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/silver-dollar-metynnis-argenteus-freshwater\"\u003eSilver Dollars\u003c\/a\u003e in a group, large plecos, Severums, Green Terrors, Jack Dempseys, and other robust South and Central American cichlids of similar size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlso excellent.\u003c\/strong\u003e Kept completely alone. A single Oscar in a well-filtered 75 gallon is a legitimate and very satisfying setup, and it is the lowest-drama option.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Anything small or slow: tetras, rasboras, guppies, shrimp, small catfish such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e, and long-finned fish that invite nipping. These are food or targets, not tank mates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlso avoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Live plants in most cases. Oscars will uproot them for sport. Anubias or Java Fern tied to heavy driftwood is about the only thing that survives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo Oscars can work in a large tank, but they either bond as a pair or fight, and there is no way to know which until they grow up. Only try it with a plan B tank ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\/xtreme-nice-crumbles-0-5-slow-sinking-crumble\"\u003eXtreme Nice Crumbles Slow-Sinking Crumble\u003c\/a\u003e for juveniles at this size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-staple\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Staple\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-excel\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Excel\u003c\/a\u003e as they grow out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-monster-9mm-pellets\"\u003eXtreme Monster 9mm Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e once they hit adult size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-krill-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSan Francisco Bay Frozen Krill\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-3-5oz-1\"\u003eFrozen Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-safe\"\u003eSeachem Safe\u003c\/a\u003e for water changes and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-stability\"\u003eSeachem Stability\u003c\/a\u003e when cycling the grow-out tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore options in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eNutrition\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater Care\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater Testing\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast will a 2 inch Oscar grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nQuickly. With good food and clean water, expect 1 inch per month early on, slowing after the 8 inch mark. Most reach 10 to 12 inches within 18 months, so have the full-size tank sorted within the first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a Snow White Oscar harder to keep than a Tiger Oscar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. Care is identical. The only practical difference is that albino strains can be slightly more light-sensitive, so avoid blasting the tank with a high-output light and give them shaded areas under driftwood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep an Oscar in a 55 gallon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIt is not enough long term. A 55 is too narrow front to back for a 12 inch fish to turn comfortably. Use it as a grow-out at most, and move to a 75 gallon or larger before the fish hits 7 or 8 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does my Oscar keep moving the gravel and knocking things over?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThat is normal Oscar behavior, not a problem. They dig, rearrange, and test everything in the tank. Use heavy decor set directly on the glass rather than on top of substrate so nothing topples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you hold fish for pickup?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. Your order is reserved as soon as it is placed, and we leave the fish in its tank until you arrive so it stays in the best possible shape.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48989015343323,"sku":"FW1-F9596","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/5e212638-0761-4944-9501-1df7d0b7c34a.png?v=1784451167","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/snow-white-albino-oscar-astronotus-ocellatus-freshwater-cichlid","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}