Description
🐠 Lemon Oscar Cichlid
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Astronotus ocellatus (Lemon Variant)
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Family: Cichlidae
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Origin: South America (Amazon River Basin, aquarium-bred color morph)
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Size: 10 – 12 inches (25 – 30 cm)
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Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
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Tank Zone: Mid to Bottom
🌊 Water Parameters
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TDS: 100 – 200 ppm
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pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
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Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
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Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
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Bright lemon-yellow body with orange-golden glow.
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Large, intelligent, and interactive fish – often recognize owners.
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Semi-aggressive, territorial, but can be calm with the right mates.
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Strong diggers – rearrange decorations and uproot plants.
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Best for experienced aquarists due to their size and care needs.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous (predatory tendencies)
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Diet: High-quality cichlid pellets, prawns, crickets, mealworms, earthworms, bloodworms, and occasional vegetables like peas or spinach.
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Feeding: 1–2 times daily, in moderate amounts.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 75 gallons for one, 100+ gallons for a pair.
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Weekly Water Change: 30–40%.
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Strong filtration is required due to heavy waste production.
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Avoid live plants (they uproot them) – use rocks, driftwood, and sturdy décor.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: Can be kept singly or as a bonded pair.
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Tank Mates: Other large cichlids (Severum, Silver Arowana, Green Terror), Plecos, Silver Dollars, large Catfish.
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Avoid: Small fish (they will be eaten), aggressive rivals (Flowerhorn, Jaguar Cichlid).
✅ Do’s
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Keep in a large, well-filtered tank.
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Provide hiding spots and open swimming space.
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Feed a varied, protein-rich diet.
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Keep water stable and clean.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t keep in small or overcrowded tanks.
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Don’t mix with tiny or delicate fish.
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Don’t skip water changes – Oscars are messy eaters.
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Don’t overfeed – prone to obesity and digestive issues.
⭐ Quick Tips
The Lemon Oscar Cichlid is a stunning and intelligent giant cichlid that becomes a true pet-like companion.
They are hardy but need big tanks, good filtration, and careful tank mates.
A perfect choice for aquarists who want a colorful, interactive centerpiece fish.