What is Oscar (fish)?
{{Speciesbox |name = Oscar |image = Astronotus_ocellatus.jpg |genus = Astronotus |species = ocellatus |authority = ([[Louis Agassiz|Agassiz]], 1831) }} '''Oscar''' (''Astronotus ocellatus'') is a [[species]] of [[fish]] from the [[cichlid]] family. Oscars have many common names. Some of these names are '''oscar''', '''tiger oscar''', '''velvet cichlid''', and '''marble cichlid'''. The scientific name for the oscar species is ''A. ocellatus.'' Oscars can grow up to {{convert|16|in|cm}} long and weigh over {{convert|3|lb}}. The Oscar fish is a smart species of fish. Oscars are popular as [[aquarium]] fish. Oscars are also very aggressive. ==Description== The Oscar is a large [[Predation|predatory]] fish at grows up two 18”. Their bodies are colorful and dark colors mixed with bright colors. Different variations include some with albinism “albino oscar” and others with darker variations “tiger oscar”. ==Behavior== The Oscar is an aggressive [[predator]] from the [[Amazon River]]. Oscars create [[territories]] and attack other fish that come into their territory. Captive bred oscars can do well in certain community tanks with only fish from their region. For this to work you need to get you oscar from a breeder as small as possible, so they know the other possible tank mates are not a threat/food. ==Feeding== Captive oscars may be fed prepared [[fish food]] designed for large [[Carnivore|carnivorous]] fish. They can also eat [[crayfish]], [[worm]]s, and [[insect]]s. Insects include, crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, praying mantis and even hornworms. At about 6 months age, oscars can be fed live feeder fish, such as minnows, small gold fish and other feeder fish that can fit easily in their mouths. Captive bred oscars do best when fed natural frozen “carnivorous” fish food, along with live insects and crickets to keep a varied diet. These include, frozen bloodworms, frozen mysis shrimp, frozen beef heart, and frozen mixed fish cubes, as well as live feeders stated above. {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Teleosts]]