Albino Oscar

The Albino Oscar is a well-established captive-bred morph of Astronotus ocellatus, arising from a recessive albinism mutation. The lack of melanin gives the fish a creamy-white base with soft orange-red patterning and striking red eyes. In all other respects it is identical to a standard Oscar — equally large, equally messy, equally intelligent, and equally interactive with its keeper. It requires the same large aquarium, heavy filtration, and meaty diet. The colour tends to intensify under good lighting and a high-quality diet rich in carotenoids.

Water: 23–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard (GH 5–18). Tank: Minimum 450L; keep décor minimal and robust; strong canister or sump filtration required. Feeding: Carnivore; large pellets, frozen krill, prawn, earthworms; carotenoid-rich foods enhance colour. Breeding: Productive open spawner; albino trait is recessive and may not appear in all offspring. Compatibility: With other large cichlids; consumes any fish small enough to swallow.