Astronotus ocellatus Popular names Oscar, or Velvet Cichlid.Origin Amazon, Guianas, Venezuela.Size 12.5 inches.Appearance Very variable, depending on strain, age, and condition.Skin matt, velvety, not reflectile like other Cichlids. Color, marbled olive brown to black with ivory, orange, and red splashes.Behavior Surprisingly good-natured for a large Cichlid. Can be trained to take food from the hand and also stroked and petted.Feeding Huge appetite. Likes food in large mouthfuls, e.g., live fish, chunks of beef, and earthworms.Water conditions Not critical. Temperature 7 5°F.-80oF.Sexing Difficult. Possible in large specimens when female fills with roe. Some males show three prominent round blotches at the base of the dorsal fin.Breeding Specimens have to be over 6 inch or so before they can be expected to breed; 500-1000 eggs are laid on flat stone. Large tank (4-6 foot) needed with plenty of gravel and some flat stones but no plants. Good parents; as a rule they will not eat eggs or fry. First food, brine shrimps. Recommened feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

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