Lemon Oscar Care Guide
Lemon Oscar is a selectively bred xanthistic form of Astronotus ocellatus with a bright yellow body, sharing the care needs of the wild Oscar.
Overview
The Lemon Oscar is a captive-bred xanthistic form of Astronotus ocellatus, a large cichlid from tropical South America. The xanthistic trait emphasizes yellow pigment, giving a bright yellow body. Care requirements match those of the wild Oscar, a hardy and long-lived species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Astronotus
- Scientific name: Astronotus ocellatus "Lemon"
- Wild form: Astronotus ocellatus
Habitat
The wild species is widely distributed across the Amazon basin and recorded from Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, French Guiana and neighbouring countries, in systems such as the Amazon, Negro, Solimões and Ucayali. It occupies slow-moving or still white-water shallows in forested areas, often sheltering under submerged branches and tree roots.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 5-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Adult size: 25-35 cm
Diet
Astronotus ocellatus is carnivorous and a generalized predator in the wild, taking small fish (often sedentary catfish), shrimp, snails, insects and insect larvae, and also fruits and nuts. In captivity it should be offered quality cichlid pellets with live or frozen items such as earthworms and prawns. Feeder fish and mammalian or avian meat are best avoided.
Compatibility
Oscars are territorial and will defend a claimed area, although they are not exceptionally aggressive for their size. Their predatory nature makes small fish unsuitable as tankmates. Suitable companions are robust species of comparable size; small tetras, guppies and shrimp should be avoided.
Breeding
Oscars are biparental substrate spawners. Pairs clean a flat horizontal or vertical surface before laying, and a female may deposit several hundred to a few thousand eggs depending on size. Both parents guard the eggs and provide extended care to the free-swimming fry.