Oscar & Parrots

Oscar Fish & Parrot Cichlid — Care Guide & Buy Online

Oscar fish (Astronotus ocellatus) and Blood Parrot Cichlid are two of the most popular large freshwater cichlids in the aquarium hobby. The Oscar is a South American species reaching 30–35 cm, requiring a minimum 75-gallon (280-litre) tank, water temperature of 23–28 °C, and pH 6.5–7.5. The Blood Parrot Cichlid is a man-made hybrid (likely Amphilophus citrinellus × Vieja maculicauda) reaching 20–25 cm, recognised by its distinctive rounded body, beak-shaped mouth, and vivid orange-red colouration. Both species are highly intelligent, interactive with owners, and suitable for experienced fishkeepers who can provide the large tank volumes they require. FishyKart delivers live Oscar fish and Parrot Cichlids across India with a live arrival guarantee.

Oscar Fish Care — Astronotus ocellatus

The Oscar is one of the most intelligent freshwater fish in the hobby — it recognises individual owners, learns feeding routines, and can be trained to accept hand-feeding. It is available in wild-type (dark olive with orange-red markings), Red Oscar, Albino Oscar, Tiger Oscar, and Lemon Oscar colour variants.

• Size: 30–35 cm in captivity; up to 45 cm in the wild
• Tank size: 280 litres (75 US gallons) minimum for one fish; 400+ litres for a pair
• Temperature: 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
• pH: 6.5–7.5; hardness 5–20 dGH
• Lifespan: 10–15 years in optimal conditions — a long-term commitment
• Filtration: Heavy-duty canister filter rated 8–10× tank volume per hour; Oscars produce extreme bioload from their high-protein diet
• Water changes: 30–40% twice weekly to keep nitrates below 20 ppm — non-negotiable for long-term oscar fish care

Oscars are notorious tank re-decorators — they will uproot plants, move substrate, and rearrange any moveable décor. Anchor all decorations firmly or use bare-bottom setups with large smooth rocks and driftwood.

Parrot Cichlid Care

The Blood Parrot Cichlid is a hybrid that does not occur in nature. Its distinctive anatomy — a round, compact body and a small, beak-shaped mouth — limits its ability to compete aggressively for food, making careful feeding essential. Despite its unusual appearance, it is a hardy, long-lived fish when kept correctly.

• Size: 20–25 cm
• Tank size: 150 litres minimum for one fish; 250+ litres for a group of 3–4
• Temperature: 25–27 °C — Blood Parrots are sensitive to temperature drops below 24 °C
• pH: 6.5–7.4; hardness 5–15 dGH
• Colouration: Natural orange-red; avoid fish artificially dyed with injected pigments (a harmful practice) — FishyKart stocks only naturally coloured specimens
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Filtration: Canister or sump rated 6–8× tank volume per hour

Tank Setup & Compatibility

Oscars and Blood Parrot Cichlids can coexist in large tanks (300+ litres) if introduced simultaneously as juveniles, but individual aggression varies. Both species do best in South American-style setups: sand substrate, large driftwood pieces, and robust plants or artificial plants (live plants will be uprooted by Oscars).

Compatible tank mates for Oscars: Large plecos (Sailfin Pleco Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps, Royal Pleco Panaque nigrolineatus), Silver Dollar fish (Metynnis argenteus), Bichir (Polypterus sp.). Avoid any fish under 15 cm — Oscars will eat them.

Compatible tank mates for Blood Parrots: Other medium cichlids of similar size, large tetras (Congo Tetra), peaceful catfish. Avoid highly aggressive species that may bully the Parrot's restricted mouth.

Feeding

Both species are carnivorous omnivores requiring a high-protein diet. Staple food should be a large cichlid pellet (Hikari Cichlid Gold, Sera Cichlid Sticks) supplemented with protein 3× per week.

• Oscar: Earthworms, krill, prawns, frozen silversides, crickets — feed once daily, only what fish consume in 3 minutes
• Blood Parrot: Smaller pellets and bloodworms suited to its restricted mouth; sinking pellets preferred as it feeds mid-water to bottom
• Avoid for both: Feeder goldfish (thiaminase toxicity, disease risk), tubifex worms (high parasite load)
• Frequency: Once daily for adults; twice daily for juveniles under 10 cm

Why Buy from FishyKart?

FishyKart stocks Oscar fish in multiple variants (Red, Albino, Tiger, Lemon) and Blood Parrot Cichlids sourced from reputable breeders — all naturally coloured, never artificially dyed. Every fish is quarantined and health-screened before dispatch and shipped across India in insulated, oxygen-sealed packaging with a live arrival guarantee. Juveniles (5–8 cm) and sub-adults (12–18 cm) available; contact us for current stock and pricing.