Astronotus orbicularis

[framcosco]

Bought a couple of these from TangledUpInCichlids before Xmas, looking to see if anyone has raised any before or has some from this current batch. One of mine quickly dominated and killed the other in a 6ft tank, totally not typical for a 3inch "Oscar". The one left has grown into a beautiful jet black fish, but as it is now over 4" I am wondering when its bumblebee pattern will start to develope? The fish ignores all the others in the tank, but it holds its part against 8" Rotkeil Severums and large Geophagus.

Yes, this is normal for a Astronotus orbicularis -- AKA Bumblebee Oscar. You will see the banding and some yellow at around 5-5.5 inches. Just give it some more time. The question is how defined will the banding be and how strong the yellow will be -- this differs from fish to fish....but then remember it also goes through an adult morph!

And no this is not an Asian species--- as someone suggested--, it is found in San pao Brazil.

 

[framcosco]

andro23: I recently had a similar experience, I bought 2 orbicularis from Jeff Rapps about a week ago....and one of the oscars was just relentless despite having several dither fish in the tank....I had to put the agressor in the refugium.....now I have an orbicularis I have to get rid of.