Description
🐠 Papaya Oscar
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Astronotus ocellatus (Papaya variant)
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Family: Cichlidae
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Origin: South America (Amazon Basin, aquarium-bred color morph)
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Size: 10 – 14 inches (25 – 35 cm)
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Lifespan: 10 – 12 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: 6.5 – 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 orange/yellow body with red patterns, giving it a “papaya-like” look.
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Intelligent, interactive fish that can recognize its owner.
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Semi-aggressive but can coexist with suitable large tank mates.
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Strong personality – needs space to thrive.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous (carnivore-leaning)
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Diet: High-quality cichlid pellets, bloodworms, mealworms, shrimp, earthworms, and some vegetables (peas, spinach, zucchini).
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Feeding: 1–2 times daily; avoid overfeeding to prevent water pollution.
🛠️ 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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Needs strong filtration (Oscars produce heavy waste).
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Use sturdy décor like driftwood and rocks – avoid delicate plants (they uproot them).
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: Can be kept alone or in a bonded pair.
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Tank Mates: Large cichlids (Severum, Green Terror, Jack Dempsey), Silver Dollars, Plecos, Bichirs.
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Avoid: Small fish (they will be eaten) and overly aggressive fish (like Flowerhorns).
✅ Do’s
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Provide a large, well-filtered tank.
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Give a varied diet for best color development.
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Decorate tank with sturdy rocks and wood.
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Keep water clean and stable.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t keep in small tanks.
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Don’t add tiny or weak fish.
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Don’t neglect water changes.
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Don’t use fragile plants – they will be destroyed.
⭐ Quick Tips
The Papaya Oscar is a colorful and striking cichlid, prized for its vivid orange-yellow body.
It makes a great centerpiece fish for large aquariums, but it needs space, good filtration, and proper care to stay healthy and vibrant.
