Albino Red Tiger Oscar - Astronotus ocellatus

Albino Red Tiger Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

The Albino Red Tiger Oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, is a bold, intelligent and highly interactive freshwater cichlid with a pale albino base colour, red to orange tiger-style patterning and the powerful body shape that makes Oscars such impressive display fish. This captive-bred colour form is popular with keepers who want a large, responsive wet pet rather than a small community fish. Oscars are hardy when kept correctly, but they grow quickly, produce heavy waste and need a spacious, mature aquarium with strong filtration and carefully chosen tank mates.

Common Name:
Albino Red Tiger Oscar, Red Tiger Oscar, Albino Tiger Oscar, Oscar, Velvet Cichlid, Marble Cichlid.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Astronotus ocellatus
Captive-bred albino red tiger colour form.

Maximum Size:
Usually around 30–35 cm in aquariums, with wild records reaching around 40 cm total length.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The albino red tiger form is captive-bred and does not occur as a natural wild population. The wild Oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, is native to tropical South America, including the Amazon and connected river systems. It naturally inhabits quiet, shallow waters such as canals, ponds and slow-moving areas with mud or sand bottoms.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.8
Hardness or Salinity: Soft to moderately hard freshwater; stable water quality is far more important than chasing extreme values.

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive and predatory. Oscars are often personable with their keeper, but they are large cichlids and will eat smaller fish, especially tank mates that fit into the mouth. They can be kept with other robust, similarly sized fish in very spacious aquariums, but they are not suitable for small peaceful community setups.

Diet:
Carnivorous-leaning omnivore. In the wild, Oscars feed on small fish, crayfish, worms and insect larvae. In the aquarium, offer quality cichlid pellets as the staple, supported with frozen or fresh foods such as earthworms, river shrimp, mussel, cockle, prawn, bloodworm, krill and occasional insect-based foods. Avoid feeder fish, as these can introduce disease and encourage poor nutrition.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 300 litres is recommended for a single adult Oscar, with 450 litres or more preferred for a pair or for keeping with other large fish. A large footprint, strong filtration and regular maintenance are essential.

Behaviour & Activity:
A confident mid-to-lower level cichlid that often learns to recognise its keeper and may beg for food at the glass. Oscars are powerful fish that may dig, move decor, uproot plants and rearrange the aquarium. They need open swimming space, sturdy decor, smooth rocks, large pieces of bogwood and enough room to turn comfortably. During breeding, pairs may clean a flat surface and become much more territorial.

Aquarium Category:
Predator
Suitable tank mates include robust fish of similar size that can tolerate the same water conditions, such as larger catfish, large peaceful cichlids and other substantial South American species in suitably large aquariums. Avoid small tetras, guppies, small barbs, small Corydoras, shrimps, snails that may be eaten, delicate long-finned fish and aggressive species likely to injure the Oscar.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This is a large, messy fish and should not be bought for a small aquarium. Use oversized filtration, keep nitrate under control with regular water changes and avoid sharp decor that could damage the body or eyes. Secure heavy rockwork so it cannot be undermined or pushed over. Albino forms can show stress marks and minor injuries more visibly than darker Oscars, so clean water and calm handling are important. A secure lid is recommended, as large cichlids can jump or splash during feeding.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common in trade / Captive-bred colour form

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.