The Red Oscar is a colour variation of Astronotus ocellatus Oscar. It is also known as the Marble Cichlid or the Velvet Cichlid, and makes a colourful addition to a large aquarium. The Red Oscar is orange-red with dark grey shading. They will form a pair, make a nuclear family and are generally peaceful in nature. It is hard to tell the difference between the male and females, but during spawning the female has obvious genital papilla. The Red Oscar requires a large aquarium of at least 320L with a deep sand bottom and a few large rocks. They will dig up plants; so any that are in the tank should be potted, or the root surfaces covered with rocks. Using floating plants is a good compromise to this problem. Tiny Oscars form a tight cluster for protection and this is normal behavior for juvenile fish. Large Oscars are not as territorial as most other cichlids when full grown, however will consume anything they can fit into their mouths.
A large tank should be used for breeding, as much as 455L if possible. The Red Oscar will spawn in soft or hard water as long as it is clean and clear and has a temperature between 26-30°C. The female will lay from 1,000-2,000 eggs on rocks that have been carefully cleaned. The eggs are opaque at first, turning transparent in 24 hours. The brood will be carefully guarded and cared for and the fry will be kept in pits and may even be covered. When they are free-swimming, the fry should be fed Cyclops. Sometimes the fry will cling to their parents.
The Red Oscar is a carnivore that is a predaceous and hearty eater. Oscars will eat a variety of meaty foods, including small fish and earthworms, cichlid pellets, larger flake food, ocean plankton, bloodworms, and tubifex worms.
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Colour Form: Orange, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Water Conditions: 22-25° C, KH 5-19, pH 6.0-8.0
Max. Size: 3cm
Family: Cichlidae
Minimum Tank Size: 320L
