Description

🐠 Copper Oscar

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Astronotus ocellatus (Copper variant)

• Family: Cichlidae

• Origin: South America (Amazon Basin, aquarium-bred morph)

• Size: 10 – 14 inches (25 – 35 cm)

• Lifespan: 10 – 12 years

• Tank Zone: Mid to Bottom

🌊 Water Parameters

• TDS: 100 – 200 ppm

• pH: 6.5 – 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

• Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)

• Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH

🐟 Characteristics

• Shimmering copper-brown body with darker patterns and metallic glow.

• Intelligent and interactive – recognizes its owner.

• Semi-aggressive, needs large tank space.

• Strong personality, often rearranges tank décor.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Omnivorous (carnivore-leaning)

• Diet: Cichlid pellets, bloodworms, crickets, shrimp, earthworms, and occasional veggies (peas, zucchini).

• Feeding: 1–2 times daily in small portions.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: Minimum 75 gallons for one, 100+ gallons for a pair.

• Weekly Water Change: 30–40%.

• Strong filtration needed (Oscars produce a lot of waste).

• Tank décor: heavy driftwood and rocks (avoid fragile plants).

👥 Social Behavior

• Minimum Group Size: Can live alone or in a bonded pair.

• Tank Mates: Other large cichlids (Severum, Green Terror, Jack Dempsey), Silver Dollars, Plecos, Bichirs.

• Avoid: Small fish (they become food) and overly aggressive fish (like Flowerhorns).

✅ Do’s

• Keep in large tanks with strong filters.

• Feed a varied, protein-rich diet.

• Add sturdy decorations (Oscars dig and move objects).

• Keep water clean and stable.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t keep in small aquariums.

• Don’t mix with small/fragile fish.

• Don’t ignore tank maintenance.

• Don’t use sharp rocks or fragile plants.

⭐ Quick Tips
The Copper Oscar is a stunning color morph with a metallic copper shine.
It makes an excellent centerpiece fish for large aquariums but needs space, good filtration, and proper care to stay healthy and vibrant.