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They are mostly solid red on the side with no color on any of their fins. The red coloring is mostly on their sides and unlike the tiger variation, is hardly patterned. Red Oscar fish are pretty much exactly that, red.
BIG FRESHWATER FISH FREE
Their body is usually free of color from their upper lip to the start of their dorsal fin. It kind of looks like a mix between a Rorschach test and a maze. They have a black body with orange lines and blotches that extend in random directions. Unlike tigers, they don’t have orange stripes (or is that black stripes?) and instead have a more sporadic pattern. As you can probably tell by the name, tiger Oscar fish are black and orange. This is the classic color pattern that you see with most Oscars. Types Of Oscar Fishīelow we list the different kinds of Oscar fish and what they look like.
BIG FRESHWATER FISH PATCH
Their eyes are large and are typically surrounded by an uncolored patch on their bodies that extends up to the start of their dorsal fin. This makes them look kind of like chunky torpedoes in the water. The same thing goes for their anal fins as well. Their dorsal fins run all the way down to their caudal fins, giving them a sort of beefy look. Just like many other cichlids, their caudal fins are pretty symmetrical and standard, not sticking out too far. The general body type of these fish is rather long and egg-shaped. The beauty of this tropical fish is something that can’t be said enough! The appearance of Oscar fish can vary between the types, but all of them look fantastic. In our experience, the bond and attachment you build when having a fish for that long really makes the experience that much more rewarding! Appearance We love the idea of owning and caring for them over a long period of time. In our opinion, this is one of the biggest benefits of getting an Oscar fish. When you compare this to other related fish like the African cichlid there’s a big difference in age.
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Their lifespan is often overlooked by potential owners, and once they learn this they are often blown away. However, an Oscar with great genetics and good care can live to be over 15 years old! The average Oscar fish lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 13 years. They are known for their stunning looks, unique personality, and aggression. Oscars that are found here have either escaped during fish trade transit or dumped by owners who could not take care of them. Large numbers of these fish can be found in the Amazon River basin, and prefer slow-moving water with lots of rocks and debris.Īlthough they are naturally from this area, you can also find them in Australia, China, and even Florida.
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Their scientific name is Astronotus ocellatus (if you’re curious about that sort of thing). Oscar fish come from South America, namely Peru, Brazil, French Guiana, Colombia, and Ecuador.
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