Freshwater Fish
Oscar - Red Tiger.
The red tiger oscar is a big, smart, dog-like cichlid that recognizes its owner and rearranges the tank to taste — a fast-growing 12-inch fish that needs a 75-gallon-plus tank with heavy filtration. It makes a mess and pays you back in personality; endlessly entertaining for the dedicated keeper.
We keep this species at our Erie store. Come and see it in the tanks, or call (814) 456-9445 and ask what we have in right now.
Sea Cave keeps this species. You will find these in the tanks at 660 East 14th Street in Erie. We never ship live animals.
- Condition
- new
- Fulfillment
- Local pickup — Erie, PA
We never ship fish, coral, or invertebrates — every animal here is one you meet in person. Each one is acclimated and health-checked in-house before it goes out into the display tanks. This is a species we keep, and what is swimming on any given day changes with the deliveries, so please call (814) 456-9445 before you drive in.
Care at a glance
What to know before you take one home.
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Temperament
- Semi aggressive
- Adult size
- 12"
- Min tank size
- 55–75 gal by age
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Scientific name
- Astronotus ocellatus
Grows into its tank
Sub-adult (initial housing)55 galAdult (10–12 in)75 galGood tank mates
The red tiger oscar is a large, messy predatory cichlid that will eat anything small enough to fit in its mouth, so it is not a community fish. House it on its own or with other big, tough fish that can hold their own alongside it.
Good to know
The oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a cichlid from the Amazon basin in South America and is known for recognizing and reacting to the person who feeds it.
What is in the tanks and each animal's temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for pairing advice.
Good tankmates
Plays well with.
Species we’d keep in the same tank, with why each pairing works. What is in the tanks and each animal’s temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for advice on pairing.
New to stocking a tank? Read our guide on which fish live together.
Red Spot Silver Dollar
Large schooling fish that grows to 5–6 inches — too big to be eaten by an adult Oscar — and peaceful enough not to provoke a large cichlid; explicitly recommended by Aquarium Co-op for Oscar tanks.
Jack Dempsey
Comparable adult size (8–10 in) and semi-aggressive temperament that lets it hold its own against an Oscar in a large tank (100+ gallons); a commonly cited and forum-verified Oscar pairing when adequate space and hiding spots are provided.
Common Plecostomus
Armored bottom-dweller that can exceed 18 inches at adulthood, occupies a different tank zone, and is widely documented as a classic Oscar companion; slime-coat rasping risk is low with fast-moving Oscars (documented mainly against slow flat fish like discus and goldfish).
Green Severum
Large South American cichlid sharing the Oscar's water parameters (soft, slightly acidic) and reaching 8–10 inches; multiple sources confirm Oscars and Severums coexist successfully in 75+ gallon setups with the Oscar typically asserting dominance without causing serious harm.
- B
Bichir
Large armored bottom-dweller occupying a completely different tank zone; Oscars are large enough not to be prey, and Bichirs' tough exterior and nocturnal bottom-hugging behavior minimize conflict. Aquarium Source explicitly lists Oscars as compatible; size-match at introduction is essential (small Bichir juveniles can be eaten).
Visit the store
660 East 14th Street,
Erie, PA.
Mon–Fri 12–6 · Sat 11–4 · Sun closed. Call ahead on livestock — what's on the floor rotates.