Tiger Oscar Cichlid (Astronotus ocellatus)

The Tiger Oscar is a large, bold cichlid famous for its striking black body and fiery orange-red markings. Growing up to 12 inches, this intelligent fish is known for its curious, interactive personality—many Oscars can even recognize their owners.

Due to their size and territorial behavior, they require a 70+ gallon aquarium with strong filtration and stable conditions. Oscars are best kept with similarly sized tankmates and should be provided with sandy substrate and rocks for hiding. They can uproot plants, so hardscape is preferred.

👉 Care Difficulty: Moderate – Best for aquarists with some experience handling larger, aggressive fish.