Varieties of oscar fish can be mixed and matched by breeders, so in addition to the fish listed above, there are also black and white oscars, copper oscars, golden oscars, and many more. There is only one species of oscar fish! Within that species, there are countless varieties, usually named for their coloration or characteristics.
So, How Many Types of Oscar Fish Are There? Īstronotus crassipinnis are extremely rare in the aquarium trade. They are, however, the only other species of fish in the Astronotus genus, Astronotus crassipinnis. The fish that some aquarium enthusiasts call ‘fat oscars’ are not oscars at all. Some people consider oscar fish an invasive species in Florida. Florida Oscarsįlorida oscars are wild oscars that live in Florida.Īlthough they are descended from tiger oscars and have similar coloration, Florida oscars have created a self-sustaining community and have variations in size, color, and temperament.
Outside of captivity, wild oscars also live among piranha. Some have an “eye” on the back of their tails to ward off predators or unfriendly fish. Wild oscars are typically tan or grey with light-colored stripes and unique patterns. Most oscar fish are bred for their vibrant colors and interesting tails, but Astronotus ocellatus (oscars) live all over tropical South America. Some don’t have stripes at all and are simply a pitch-black color! Wild Oscars Black Oscarsīlack oscar fish tend to have lighter stripes than tiger oscars. They are one of the most beautiful oscar varieties and usually cost a little bit more. Lemon oscars are a solid and bright yellow color, like a lemon! Green oscars also look more similar to wild oscars due to their mostly muted color. In some green oscars, the color can be hard to spot, especially when the fish are underwater. Green oscars tend to be an earthy color with bright green stripes. Only purchase blue oscars from trusted shops and breeders. The resulting fish is called a blueberry oscar.ĭyeing albino fish blue is extremely cruel and can stunt your fish’s growth, ruin its immune system, and shorten its lifespan. What Is a Blueberry Oscar?īecause blue oscars are so difficult to breed, some fish stores dye albino oscars blue. Blue oscars are real, but they can be hard to find.Ĭreating a blue oscar takes careful breeding, so you will need to find an expert fish breeder and be ready to pay big bucks for a blue oscar. They can also have an even blue color, like red oscars. Blue Oscarsīlue oscars look more similar to tiger oscars, but they are blue with orange or yellow stripes. Instead of stripes, the colors appear in even, chunky blocks. Red oscars are mostly red with black heads and bodies. Veiltail oscars are also spotted (not striped). They come in a variety of colors, but their tails are always the same – long, delicate, and nearly translucent. Veiltail oscars or longfin oscars are bred to have long, flowing tails. White oscars may also appear a solid white color with no stripes at all, especially the veiltail variety. Many fish keepers confuse white oscars with albino oscars, but white oscars are actually light pink in color with orange stripes - not absent of color like albino oscars. They appear all white, and light orange stripes are the only coloration that shows up on their skin.Īlbino oscars can be hard to find and typically cost a little more. Albino OscarsĪlbino oscars have similar coloring to tiger oscars, but they lack pigment. In the aquarium trade, oscars are some of the most popular fish in the cichlid family, especially because they have been bred for interesting colors and characteristics. Other members of the cichlid family include: Remember, oscars are part of the cichlid family. Some people refer to tiger oscars as marble cichlids or velvet cichlids due to their colors and patterns. Tiger oscars or black tiger oscars are orange, black, and striped, like a tiger! They are the most common variety of oscar fish. Some of the most popular include: Tiger Oscars Within the species, however, there are countless variations. The oscar fish we are most familiar with is called Astronotus ocellatus, which means there is technically only one main type of oscar fish. Did you know, there are between 2,000 and 3,000 species of fish in the cichlid family? Oscar fish belong to the cichlid family and the Astronotus genus.
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