Astronotus

Astronotus
Oscar (A. ocellatus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Subfamily:	Astronotinae
Genus:	Astronotus Swainson, 1839
Type species
Lobotes ocellatus Agassiz, 1831

Astronotus is a genus of South American fish from the family Cichlidae. The genus is one of three genera which make up the tribe Chaetobranchini. There are two species in the genus (listed below), both of which are found in the Amazon Basin, while one of two also is found in the Paraná and Paraguay rivers. Astronotus species grow to 35 cm in size, and are monomorphic. They are opportunistic omnivores and consume a range of smaller fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other invertebrates in the wild.

One species, the oscar (Astronotus ocellatus), is popular in the aquarium trade. A. ocellatus forms monogamous pairs which spawn in the open, typically on a flattened stone or in a shallow depression. The juvenile colouration is different from that of the adult and may aid in camouflage of the fry.

In contrast, Astronotus crassipinnis is rarely exported and is not seen often in the aquarium trade.

Species

There are currently two recognized species in this genus:^[1]

• Astronotus crassipinnis (Heckel, 1840)
• Astronotus ocellatus (Agassiz, 1831) (Oscar)

References