The Famous Oscar cichlid! The two species and differences.

The popular Oscar cichlid.

Did you know that there are two different species of Oscars?

Let me present to you the two species, though often sold as the same species, mainly Astronotus ocellatus known in the hobby as Peacock or Tiger Oscar.

Here you can see how to separate the two species when you’re in the fish store buying your new Oscar or Oscars. I mean, why buy only one? Right!

Let’s start with the Zebra or Bumblebee Oscar! Which also stands out with their clear green eyes!

Astronotus crassipinnis

Apaiari, Zebra Oscar, Bumblebee Oscar

Family: Astronotus

Species: crassipinnis

Order: Animalia

Described: Heckel

Year: 1840

Former scientific name: Acara crassipinnis

Common name: Apaiari and Zebra Oscar

Geographic area: South America

Typical locality: Rio Paraguay, Villa Maria and Caesura, Rio Guaporé close to Matogrosso, Rio Negro, Rio Branco.

Living area: In Amazon river in Bolivia and Madre de Dios outflow river area in Peru; Rio Paraguays outflow river area in Paraguay and Brazil.

Total length: 30cm or 12 inches

Here is a pair.

Male

Female

Here are two youngsters.

Did you noticed the size of the Zebra Oscar? Total length is 30cm or 12 inches. Is that a lot smaller then the Peacock Oscar? Let’s find out!

Astronotus ocellatus

Peacock cichlid, Oscar

Family: Astronotus

Species: ocellatus

Order: Animalia

Described: Agassiz

Year: 1831

Former scientific name: Cychla rubroocellata, Astronotus orbiculatus, Lobotes ocellatus, Acara hyposticta, Acara compressus.

Common name: Peacock cichlid, Oscar

Geographic area: South America

Typical locality: Santarém, Amazon, Brazil.

Living area: Amazon river area in Peru, Colombia and Brazil. Even known in French Guyana and also reports from Argentina and Venezuela.

Total length: 45 cm or 18 inches.

Male.

Female.

Rio Apure, Venezuela.

A “Golden” Peacock Oscar in Rio Putumayo, Colombia.

Rio Itaparaná, Brazil.

Rio Negro, Brazil.

Rio Orinocco, Venezuela.

Photos: www.ciklid.org

YES! The Zebra Oscar is a lot smaller then the Peacock Oscar! A massive 15cm or 6 inches smaller!

The species and subspecies described below are today considered synonyms of A. ocellatus:

Astronotus compressus, (Cope E D, 1872) from the Río Ambyiacu, Peru.

Astronotus hyposticta, (Cope E D, 1878) from the type locality in Peru.

Astronotus orbiculatus, (Haseman J D, 1911) from Santarém, Amazon, Pará. Brazil.

Astronotus rubroocellata, (Jardine W and Schomburgk R H in Schomburgk 1843) from the Rio Negro and tributaries. 

Astronotus ocellatus var. zebra (Pellegrin J, 1904) from Santarém, Amazon river, Pará. Brazil.

And another thing to notice is the, so called, peacock eyes, on the fins. The Peacock Oscar has three eyes on the fins. One on the back fin and two on the dorsal fin. When the Zebra Oscar only has one peacock eye. It’s located on the back fin, the same as the Peacock. But that’s it!

Now you know how to determine what kind of Oscar you’re getting at the fishstore.

Good luck with your new purchase of a pet Oscar!

Until the next time, Cheers!