SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

The wonderful world of exotic pets

Tiger Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

Famed for their ability to recognise owners, the highly intelligent and beautifully coloured Tiger Oscar makes an excellent observation animal for those able to house them appropriately.

The Tiger Oscar is the first variant of the wild Oscar Cichlid from South America. Bred purposely for the aquarist hobby, these fish grow from small manageable tank mates to sizeable brutes over a lifespan of 10-13 years. Reaching a total length of around 25cm, a 75 gallon tank would be required for a single Oscar, stretching up to 100 gallons for a pair.

Although Oscars are reasonably hardy, creating a perfect Amazon basin environment is crucial to the success of keeping this species. Furthermore, their destructive behaviour means planning is required to create a tank with strong-rooted plants and appropriate décor. Water should also be oxygenabundant and heated to around 25°C.

Due to their intelligence and personalities, fish keepers can get a lot of enjoyment from Tiger Oscars. In fact, some keepers have even reported teaching their Oscars tricks. They can understand who and when they are fed and will actively splash around the tank to gain attention from their carer.

Tiger Oscars are carnivorous and as such, should be fed carnivorous cichlid pellets, insects and brine shrimp. Their carnivorous diet combined with their strong personality makes this fish susceptible to aggression and housing individually is advised. Although, with appropriately sized fish in an extremely large tank, Tiger Oscars can make good tankmates. They are always observing the world around them and can be interesting to watch. Keepers can also identify when a Tiger Oscar is stressed as it will typically change colour and open its jaw, appearing very ‘bad-tempered’.