Tiger Oscar

fish description – Tiger Oscar Care Guide ($Astronotusocellatus$ ‘Tiger’ Strain)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

• Short Description: A bulky, oval-shaped cichlid with a large head and mouth. The ‘Tiger’ pattern consists of irregular black vertical bars or blotches over a base color that develops a vibrant red, orange, or yellow hue, often with an eye-spot (ocellus) on the caudal fin base.
• Coloration: Varies, but the Tiger strain is defined by the dark, mottled pattern. Sexing is impossible until breeding; the male and female look identical (sexually monomorphic) but may form monogamous pairs.
• Fins: Large, powerful fins.
• Behavior: Highly intelligent, interactive, and can be trained to eat from a keeper’s hand. They are notoriously messy eaters and diggers, capable of rearranging any unsecured decor in the tank. They become less aggressive as they mature into massive adults.

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons (280 liters) is the absolute minimum for a single adult. 125 gallons or larger is required for a pair or if keeping with robust tank mates. They require long tanks.
• Schooling: Best kept singly or in a monogamous pair (once bonded). Keeping multiples requires careful planning and a massive tank to prevent fighting.
• Temperature: Tropical range: 75∘–82∘F (24∘–28∘C) (ideally 77∘–79∘F).
• pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.0 to 8.0. They require massive filtration (oversized canister filters are mandatory) and large, frequent water changes (30–50% weekly) to control the huge bioload and prevent Hole-in-the-Head disease (HITH). Water flow should be moderate.
• Aquascape: Keep simple. Requires a soft sand substrate (preferred for digging) or fine, smooth gravel. Decorate with a few large, securely anchored rocks or pieces of driftwood that they cannot move. Avoid live plants as they will be uprooted, eaten, or destroyed. All equipment (heaters, etc.) should be guarded.

Diet and Feeding

The Oscar is an omnivore, but with a highly carnivorous and opportunistic diet.

• Staple Diet: High-quality large cichlid pellets or sticks formulated for large, omnivorous cichlids.
• Supplementation: A varied, protein-rich diet is essential for color and health. Offer frozen or live foods regularly: Krill, Shrimp, Earthworms, Mysis, and Bloodworms. Blanched vegetables should be offered occasionally for roughage. Avoid mammalian meat (e.g., beef heart) and unquarantined feeder fish.
• Schedule: Feed small portions 1–2 times daily (juveniles need 2-3 small feedings daily). Do not overfeed, as this is the primary cause of poor water quality and HITH.

Compatibility

• Caution: Will eat any fish that fits in its mouth. Highly territorial, especially when breeding. Requires robust, similarly sized tank mates that can withstand rough treatment and competition for food.
• Good Tank Mates (in very large tanks): Other large, sturdy, semi-aggressive South American fish. Examples include Bichirs, Jaguar Cichlids, Large Severums, Silver Dollars, L-number Plecos (e.g., Panaque), and large Catfish (Synodontis).