Next working day delivery with Royal Mail Tracked 24
Description
Red Oscar Cichlid
The oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, is a species of fish from the cichlid family known under a variety of names including tiger oscar, velvet, and marble cichlid. The species is native to South America. Oscar's can grow as large as 50cm, so a large fish tank is highly recommended.
Like most cichlids it is considered aggressive, and will eat virtually anything it can fit in its mouth. Care must be taken to house with similar-sized species able to tolerate the aggression and hunger of the Oscar.
Oscars will often lay claim to an area of the aquarium and be very aggressive towards other fish encroaching on their newly established territory. The size of the territory varies depending on the size and aggressiveness of the fish based on its surroundings. Once the oscar establishes a territory, it will defend it by chasing away other fish. A habitat replicating the strong water flow of a tropical river is ideal with soft substrate, rocks, debris, and vegetation scattered around on top. One Oscar supplied.
Features
Approx. delivered size: 5-10cm
Maximum size: 50cm (large)
Origin: South America
Ideal number kept together: 2+
Water conditions
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: 5-20 dGH
Temperature: 25–30 °C
Ease of care
Moderate. They are a hardy territorial Cichlid, aggressive, and will grow very large.
Diet
Carnivorous - will feed on bloodworm, crustaceans, insects (and small fish!) They can have anything from flake, granules, live and frozen food. The live food will help with colouration. They will also eat other fish, so exercise caution with tankmates. Captive oscars generally eat fish food designed for large carnivorous fish.
Compatibility
House with similar-sized passive species.
Breeding
Egg layers, known to be protective of their brood. Pairs are known to select and clean generally flattened horizontal or vertical surfaces on which to lay their 1,000 to 3,000 eggs.
Life span
They will typically live for over 10 years in perfect conditions.
For more information on general fishkeeping and our shipping procedures click here.
Shipping Cut Off Times
- In stock orders placed before on working weekdays before 2pm will be despatched on the same working weekday.
- In stock orders placed on a Saturday before 10am will be despatched on that Saturday.
- Orders that include pre-order items will be shipped together in total once the pre-order items arrive back in stock using the delivery service chosen at checkout.
None of these cut-offs apply to palletised items, pond plants or fibreglass ponds.
| SERVICE | SPEND | COST |
| Packet/Courier items | ||
| Royal Mail Next Day (1-2 days) | £0.00-£49.99 | £3.99 |
| DPD Local Next Day (1 day) | £0.00-£49.99 | £6.99 |
| DPD Local Saturday | £0.00-£49.99 | £14.99 |
| DPD Local Sunday | £0.00-£49.99 | £14.99 |
| DPD Local Next Day (1 day) | £50 and up | FREE |
| DPD Local Saturday | £50 and up | £9.99 |
| DPD Local Sunday | £50 and up | £9.99 |
| Pallets (booked in) | aquariums / bulky items | |
| Pallets Standard (3-5 days) | - | FREE |
| Pallets Express (1-2 days) | - | £39.99 |
| *EXCLUDED ITEMS | extra delivery fees apply | |
| Fibreglass Ponds (booked in) | ||
| Zone 1 (7-10 days) | - | £79.99 |
| Zone 2 (7-14 days) | - | £149.99 |
| Zone 3 (7-21 days) | - | £249.99 |
| Pond Plants (direct from grower) |
||
| All pond plants (3-10 days) | one-off fee regardless of order size/value | £5.99 |
Further delivery information
All delivery services are working day services and do not include delivery on Saturdays and Sundays or public holidays as standard.
Deliveries are usually Monday to Friday only, although some Royal Mail items may be delivered on weekends as standard if the service is available in your area.
Orders over £50 delivering to non UK mainland locations may be despatched via a Royal Mail (2-3 days) service rather than an express shipping option.
Please see our full delivery information page and terms and conditions for detailed information on shipping policies and zones
