Product Details

Albino Red Tiger Oscar – Astronotus ocellatus

The Albino Red Tiger Oscar is a bold captive-bred form of the Oscar Cichlid, combining a pale albino base colour with vivid red-orange tiger markings across the body and fins. Correctly listed as Astronotus ocellatus, this is an intelligent, powerful South American cichlid that develops a real presence in the aquarium. It is hardy when kept correctly, but it grows large, produces heavy waste and should be planned as a specialist predator rather than a general community fish.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Albino Red Tiger Oscar
Other Names: Albino Tiger Oscar, Red Tiger Oscar, Albino Red Oscar, Oscar Cichlid, Velvet Cichlid, Marble Cichlid
Scientific Name: Astronotus ocellatus
Fish Type: Large Cichlid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Astronotus ocellatus is native to tropical South America, especially the western Amazon and Orinoco basin systems. Wild Oscars are associated with slower, sheltered freshwater habitats including quiet shallow waters, mud-bottomed and sand-bottomed canals, ponds, floodplain areas and river margins.

The Albino Red Tiger Oscar is a captive-bred aquarium strain rather than a wild locality form. In the aquarium, it needs a large, mature setup with open swimming space, secure décor, smooth rocks or wood, strong filtration and areas where the fish can rest without being crowded.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Albino Red Tiger Oscars have a pale cream, white, peach or pinkish albino body with bright red, orange or copper-red tiger patterning. The eyes are usually red or pink, and the fins may show strong orange-red markings. Pattern coverage varies greatly between individuals, with some fish showing broad red patches and others displaying broken tiger-like markings.

Adults commonly reach around 25–35 cm in aquariums, with larger sizes possible. Juveniles are often sold much smaller, but they grow quickly when well fed and must be planned for as large adult fish from the start.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is suitable for large aquariums, South American predator displays and specialist big-cichlid setups. Oscars are personable and responsive, but they are also strong, messy and capable of swallowing smaller tank mates.

Albino Red Tiger Oscars are not suitable for small aquariums, nano communities, delicate planted aquascapes, shrimp tanks, peaceful small-fish communities or lightly filtered setups. They are also likely to dig, move décor and uproot plants.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 300 litres for one adult, with a tank length of at least 120 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 450 litres or more are preferred for a pair or for carefully chosen tank mates.

Oscars need both water volume and floor space. They produce a heavy bioload, so strong filtration and regular water changes are essential for long-term health.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 23–28°C
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Oscars are adaptable, but they need stable, clean water. Maintain strong filtration, good oxygenation and consistent partial water changes. Avoid sudden temperature or pH swings, high nitrate, poor oxygen levels and overcrowding.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Predator

Albino Red Tiger Oscars are large, intelligent predatory cichlids. They are often interactive with their keeper and may be calmer than some aggressive cichlids, but they are still territorial, powerful and capable of eating fish that fit in their mouth.

Suitable tank mates, if attempted, should be robust, similarly sized and too large to swallow. Possible companions include larger peaceful to semi-aggressive cichlids, large characins, larger catfish, large plecs and other big community predators in suitably large aquariums.

Avoid small tetras, guppies, rasboras, shrimp, small Cory-type catfish, delicate long-finned fish, aggressive fin-nippers and any fish small enough to be eaten. Compatibility depends heavily on aquarium size, individual temperament and feeding competition.

Feeding:

Albino Red Tiger Oscars are carnivorous to omnivorous predators. Offer quality cichlid pellets or large carnivore pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with earthworms, prawns, mussel, white fish, brineshrimp, bloodworm, crickets, insect-based foods and occasional vegetable-based cichlid foods.

Avoid feeder fish, as they can introduce parasites, disease and poor nutrition. Do not overfeed; Oscars are eager feeders and can quickly become overweight or create poor water quality if given too much food.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

Oscars are intelligent, curious fish that often recognise their keeper and learn feeding routines. They may watch movement outside the tank, rearrange décor, dig in the substrate and interact with objects in the aquarium.

They can become territorial as they mature. Pairs may form and defend a chosen area, especially when breeding. Oscars are substrate spawners and may clean a flat rock, glass area or other surface before laying eggs.

Care Notes:

Add Albino Red Tiger Oscars only to a fully cycled, mature aquarium. Use secure heaters, protected filter intakes and stable décor, as adult Oscars are strong and may knock equipment or ornaments loose. A secure lid is recommended, as large cichlids can jump when startled or feeding.

Because albino Oscars are pale, marks, scrapes or stress can show more clearly than on darker fish. Avoid sharp décor, poor water quality and aggressive tank mates that may cause injuries. This species should be sold to customers who understand large cichlid care and have space for the adult fish.

Recommended For:

Intermediate to experienced

Availability:

Common / Captive-bred colour strain

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, albino body tone, red tiger patterning, eye colour, fin colour, sex, age and markings can occur between individual fish.