Tiger Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

Known for their massive personalities and bold orange-and-black patterns, these Tiger Oscars are currently at a manageable size but will not stay small for long. They act more like underwater dogs than fish, often recognizing their owners and begging for food at the front glass. You will need a significant amount of filtration to handle their messy eating habits and high metabolism. They are incredibly hardy, though they tend to rearrange their environment by pushing around decorations or digging up plants. Providing a varied diet of high-quality pellets and frozen proteins will keep their colors vibrant as they grow.

• Requires a large aquarium, ideally 75 gallons or more for a single adult.
• Aggressive eaters that thrive on a mix of cichlid pellets, krill, and earthworms.
• Maintain stable water parameters through frequent, large water changes.
• Choose heavy decor or secured rocks, as they enjoy landscaping their own space.