Long-Fin Oscar Care Guide
Long-Fin Oscar is a selectively bred form of Astronotus ocellatus with extended flowing fins, available across several colour patterns.
Overview
The Long-Fin Oscar is a captive-bred form of Astronotus ocellatus, a large cichlid from tropical South America. The long-fin trait extends the median fins into flowing trailers and can be combined with tiger, red, lemon and albino patterns. The long-finned variety is less competitive than standard Oscars and may need extra attention at feeding.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Astronotus
- Scientific name: Astronotus ocellatus "Long-Fin"
- 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. The long fins are vulnerable to nipping, so fin-nipping species should be avoided alongside small fish that the Oscar may prey on, such as tetras, guppies and shrimp.
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.