Chilli Red Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

Choose the Chilli Red Oscar for intense red colour

The Chilli Red Oscar is a selectively bred colour line of Astronotus ocellatus, the oscar, bred for the most intense red possible. The fish in our photographs shows a body of bright scarlet-red scales broken by dark charcoal marbling, a dark grey head with red on the cheeks and gill cover, dark fins edged with red, and the classic black eye-spot ringed in red at the base of the tail. Like every oscar it grows into a big, intelligent fish that learns to recognise its keeper; Aquarium Glaser describes oscars as becoming more of a pet than an aquarium fish.

The species name ocellatus means "having small eyes", after that eye-spot on the tail base, as Seriously Fish explains. Seriously Fish also lists the common names velvet cichlid, red oscar, tiger oscar and marble cichlid. All the colour forms we sell are the same species with the same care; compare them in our Astronotus oscar range.

See how the Chilli Red line differs

Aquarium Glaser describes three red lines. The Red Oscar has a dark head and dark fins with most body scales copper-red. The Albino Red has red eyes and a red body, with black patterning still visible in the fins. The Red Chili is coloured like the Albino Red but much more intensely, and is almost certainly descended from it. In practice sellers apply "chilli red" to their deepest red oscars, so the photographs are the best guide to what you are buying, and colour varies from fish to fish.

Know what you receive

• One live Chilli Red Oscar per purchase.
• Sex is not specified. Seriously Fish notes that oscars show no reliable outward differences between the sexes.
• The photographs show the colour form. Each fish's red and dark markings are individual.
• Seriously Fish notes that most oscars on sale come from commercial breeders in Eastern Europe or the Far East; this is a captive-bred ornamental strain.

Learn where oscars come from

Wild oscars are widespread in South America. Seriously Fish records the species from the Amazon region and from Colombia and Venezuela south to Argentina, in river systems including the Ucayali, Solimões, Negro, Madeira, Tapajós, Tocantins and Orinoco; FishBase gives the western Amazon and Orinoco basins. In the wild they live in the shallows of slow or still water in forested areas, often around submerged tree roots or under marginal plants, and eat small fish, crayfish, worms, insect larvae, crustaceans and some plant material and fruit.

Seriously Fish adds that genetic studies suggest the genus may contain further species that look alike, and that feral oscars live in several countries outside their range, including the USA and Singapore. Never release an oscar, or its tank water, into the wild.

Plan for a very large adult

An oscar is sold small but grows quickly into one of the largest fish kept in home aquariums. The sources differ on maximum size, so plan for the top end.

Size the aquarium

Seriously Fish describes a tank with a 150 × 60 cm base, about 540 litres, as just about large enough for a single adult, with larger quarters needed for a pair or group. OATA recommends at least 300 litres for any American cichlid that grows beyond 15 cm. We follow the larger Seriously Fish figure for an adult oscar. Our tank volume calculator and stocking calculator help you check a tank before you commit.

Set up an oscar-proof aquarium

Seriously Fish says oscars are unsuitable for a carefully designed planted layout because they dig, but are otherwise unfussy. A natural layout can use a soft sandy substrate, fairly dim lighting and large driftwood roots and branches. OATA adds that American cichlids may dig up or eat live plants, so artificial plants are a sensible way to add cover, and that open swimming space is important.

Fit the tank out step by step

1. Use fine sand, which is safe for a digging fish.
2. Add a few large, heavy pieces of driftwood or smooth rock that the fish cannot move, and leave most of the tank as open water.
3. Choose robust or artificial plants, or none at all.
4. Mount the heater outside the tank if possible, or guard it well; Seriously Fish notes oscars are known to break equipment.
5. Fit a heavy, secure lid and keep the tank away from draughts, radiators and direct sun.

Choose powerful filtration

Seriously Fish calls efficient filtration essential and, for a 540 litre tank, suggests a turnover of four to five times the volume an hour, for example two filters each rated at 1,080–1,350 litres an hour, and roughly 150–225 W of heating split across two heaters in a room around 20°C.

Match the water values

Captive-bred oscars are not fussy about water chemistry. Seriously Fish notes that wild-caught fish may need more specific conditions, but ornamental strains like the Chilli Red do well across a broad range.

Most conditioned UK tap water is suitable. Check yours with our water matcher, and always use a dechlorinator on new water.

Keep a strict maintenance routine

A big oscar produces a lot of waste. Seriously Fish describes weekly water changes of 30–50% of the tank volume as essential, which is more than the 25% OATA suggests as a minimum for American cichlids. The heavier figure suits a large, heavily fed fish.

Our cichlid care guide and the oscar fish guide cover the routine in more depth.

Feed a high-protein diet without overfeeding

Seriously Fish calls the oscar a generalised omnivore that prefers meatier foods. Use a good cichlid pellet as the staple and add live or frozen foods regularly. Earthworms are a favourite, and prawns, whitebait, river shrimp and crickets are useful alternatives. OATA suggests cockles, lance fish and prawns for larger American cichlids. Our Krill Gran XXL sinking food, frozen cockle meat and frozen mussel meat suit an adult.

Measure each meal

1. Feed once a day, only what the oscar eats within a few minutes (OATA).
2. Ignore begging. Seriously Fish warns that oscars are greedy and soon learn to beg whenever their keeper walks past.
3. Rotate pellets with frozen and live foods through the week.
4. Never feed mammal or bird meat such as beef heart or chicken, or feeder fish (Seriously Fish).
5. Remove leftovers at once; uneaten food fouls the water fast in a big tank.

Settle a new oscar in

OATA's floating-bag method works for oscars. Switch the lights off, float the bag for 10 minutes to match temperature, then add small amounts of tank water to the bag over up to 20 minutes before releasing the fish and discarding the bag water. Expect a new oscar to sulk or lie still for a day or two; this is normal while it settles.

Choose large, robust tank mates

Seriously Fish notes that the oscar is not especially aggressive for a cichlid of its size, but as a predator it must not live with much smaller fish. Its adult size also rules out a community setup in all but the largest private aquariums. Suitable companions include characins, anostomids, other cichlids and larger armoured catfish. OATA adds that calmer cichlids such as severums can be mixed in a robust community, while more aggressive species should be kept alone or with equally robust fish.

Screen companions with this table

Our tank mates checker helps test a mix. Long-finned oscars are less competitive at feeding times, Seriously Fish notes, so feed carefully if you mix forms.

Understand breeding before you try

Oscars are substrate spawners that form lasting pairs. Seriously Fish suggests starting with six or more young fish and letting a pair form, then rehoming the rest. The pair cleans a flat rock or similar surface, and a single female can lay as many as 2,000 eggs; FishBase notes eggs usually number in the thousands, are guarded by both parents and hatch in three or four days. Seriously Fish warns that oscars are among the fish most often abandoned once they grow large, so only breed them if you have homes for the young.

Watch for early signs of trouble

OATA lists the changes to watch in any American cichlid: hanging at the surface or sitting on the bottom, erratic swimming, colour darker or paler than normal, more hiding or more aggression, faster or slower breathing, white spots or fluffy growths, damaged fins or scales, weight change and loss of appetite. An oscar that stops eating or lies on its side for more than a day or two needs its water tested straight away.

Browse every species in our South American cichlids range and the wider South American cichlids category, and check dispatch days and arrival advice on our delivery page before you order.

Answer your Chilli Red Oscar buying questions

Is the Chilli Red Oscar a different species from other oscars?

No. It is a selectively bred colour line of Astronotus ocellatus, the same species as the red, tiger and albino oscars. Seriously Fish confirms that care is more or less identical for all the ornamental strains.

How is a Chilli Red different from a Red Oscar?

Aquarium Glaser describes the Red Oscar as a fish with a dark head, dark fins and mostly copper-red body scales. The Red Chili line is said to descend from the Albino Red and to be coloured like it but far more intensely. Sellers use the name a little differently, so judge by the fish in the photographs.

How big will a Chilli Red Oscar get?

Large. Seriously Fish gives up to 35 cm standard length and FishBase records 45.7 cm total length, while Aquarium Glaser says aquarium oscars usually reach 25 to 30 cm. Plan for a fish of at least 30 cm.

What size tank does an oscar need?

Seriously Fish says a tank with a 150 × 60 cm base, about 540 litres, is just about large enough for one adult, with more space needed for a pair or group. OATA asks for at least 300 litres for any American cichlid over 15 cm.

How long do oscars live?

Seriously Fish gives a typical lifespan of 10 to 20 years, so an oscar is a long-term commitment. Think about where it will live as an adult before you buy.

Can I keep a Chilli Red Oscar with small fish?

No. Oscars are predators and will eat fish small enough to swallow. Good companions are large, robust fish such as other big cichlids, large characins and big armoured catfish.

Can I feed my oscar feeder fish or beef heart?

Seriously Fish advises against both. Feeder fish such as small livebearers or goldfish can carry parasites and disease and are poor nutrition, and mammal or bird meat should not be fed. Use a good cichlid pellet with frozen and live foods instead.

How is the oscar delivered?

It travels as a live fish, packed to suit its size, with our other livestock. Our delivery page lists the dispatch days and what to do on arrival. Have the large, cycled aquarium running before you order.

Check the care references

Every care figure on this page comes from these sources, checked in November 2026. Where they differ, the page shows each source's figure.

• Seriously Fish: Astronotus ocellatus
• FishBase: Astronotus ocellatus, Oscar
• OATA: How to look after American cichlids
• Aquarium Glaser: Astronotus Red, Albino Red and Red Chili