Oscar size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 32 cm. The largest on record measured 45.7 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).

Oscar tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 150 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.

Oscar water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 6.0–7.6, hardness 3–15 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).

Oscar tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 53 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.

Oscar and plants: is it plant safe?

No, it may eat or uproot plants.

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Oscar

Astronotus ocellatus

Tame as a dog, it knows its owner and rearranges the whole tank anyway.

The Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 32 cm; the largest on record measured 45.7 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 150 cm long and water at 24–29 °C.

Size: 32 cm
Smallest tank: 150 cm
Temperature: 24–29 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature24–29 °C

pH6.0–7.6

Hardness3–15 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Eats plants

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litres9 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres17 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres20 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along53 species

and 29 more species

Caution39 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together7 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Largest on record: 45.7 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Very common

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCichliformes
FamilyCichlidae
GenusAstronotus
SpeciesAstronotus ocellatus

In other languages

German: Pfauenaugenbuntbarsch
Spanish: Tigre Óscar
Russian: Глазчатый астронотус
Chinese: 地圖魚，花豬

Quick answers

Oscar size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 32 cm. The largest on record measured 45.7 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).
Oscar tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 150 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.
Oscar water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 6.0–7.6, hardness 3–15 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).
Oscar tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 53 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.
Oscar: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Oscar and plants: is it plant safe?: No, it may eat or uproot plants.