Confused About Oscar Tank Sizes

[piranha_tim]

Hi,

I once enquired about getting an Oscar and I was told a min of 75G tank was required for a Oscar.

I have a tank with dimensions of 36" x 18" x18" aka 50 Gallons (although told its 53??)

Every article I read it says anything over 40 will be fine.

Would my tank be suitable for an oscar?

 

[kribensis12]

Many people would disagree with me, but i say for 1 oscar, go ahead!

 

[Dave Ehl]

what are you changing your 75 to? pair off a couple of oscars in that! otherwise, yes. your 50 will be fine for ONE oscar. nothing else.

 

[Ryan_R]

With most New World cichlids, it's more about the "footprint" (length and width) of the tank more so than the gallonage. For example, some "tall' tanks have a lot of volume, but almost no footprint, so you wind up with a big fish that can only go up or down. Not fun for the fish. A big footprint also provides more real estate for tankmates and minimizes aggression.

The volume of water in the tank does help with Oscars, because they are big messy fish. You can see how it works in the 50g tank... but no tankmates (they'll disappear) or much decor. Down the road, you might want to consider getting a bigger tank... you'll probably find that the oscar is as good of a pet as a cat or dog.

There should be a bunch of articles out there, quite to the contrary of the "40 gallon minimum" that you mentioned. You've got to be critical of who's writing them I suppose. People who want to sell you fish will tell you that 40 gallons is fine. People at the other end of the spectrum will tell you that you need 600 gallons.



-Ryan

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Your tank only holds 50.5 (.4935 ) gallons of water, just to let you know.

3 feet isn't much, but an 18 inch width will give adequate space for the fish to turn around in. Like said the foot print of the tank is everything. The most common 50 gallon foot print only has a 12 inch width, which doesn't leave much room for turning.

 

[shroob]

Well I don't think its big enough for an oscar, its only 3' long. Personally a standard 75 is the minimum for me.
You say every article you read says anything over 40 gallons is suitable, but I would say they were written by people with not alot of experience (would like to see the links if possible), look at the sites with a reputation (for example this one or cichlid-forum) and you will see more reliable information.

 

[jameshiggins]

i think that is bit to small for oscar unless you plasn on upgrading soon, they grow very fast.

an oscar will get to around 15" that isnt to far off of half the lengh of your tank. should be ok for a few months though

 

[Davo86]

Like Shroob, I don't think the dimensions are right for keeping an Oscar,

For that sized tank i would look at something slightly smaller like a single Jack Dempsey or similar.

 

[Mr. Convict]

I believe that you can keep one oscar, as it will take quite a few months before he reaches 12"+ so i would say go for it as long as you plan to get a bigger tank if he needs it later on

Goodluck if you do plan to get him.

 

[piranha_tim]

I believe that you can keep one oscar, as it will take quite a few months before he reaches 12"+ so i would say go for it as long as you plan to get a bigger tank if he needs it later on

Goodluck if you do plan to get him.

Thats a shame because I read an article that oscars rarely reach over 12" that would leave a full 6" free space for turning and if I decorate the enviroment correctly which soft plants this wont inhibit the space the oscar can use ...

I will have to think about it ... I would hate to have things go wrong ... but I have been interested in oscars ...

 

[Davo86]

Thats a shame because I read an article that oscars rarely reach over 12" that would leave a full 6" free space for turning and if I decorate the enviroment correctly which soft plants this wont inhibit the space the oscar can use ...

soft plants? An oscar will rip these up within a few weeks

 

[Ryan_R]

Thats a shame because I read an article that oscars rarely reach over 12" that would leave a full 6" free space for turning and if I decorate the enviroment correctly which soft plants this wont inhibit the space the oscar can use ...

I will have to think about it ... I would hate to have things go wrong ... but I have been interested in oscars ...

I'd also love to own an oscar someday... by all accounts, they are simply great *pets* and not just really cool fish... but it's just so tricky (expensive, really) because you have to have a *huge* tank (125g from most reliable sources) before you really can consider having anything else in there with just one oscar: Smaller than mouth, other fish will be food. Bigger than mouth, and territoriality may be a problem. Even if you meet the space requirements, almost all smaller fish will always be snack food.

-Ryan

 

[Sheilaf]

I've had an oscar now for 2 years. I was told minimum for 1 would be a standard 55g. Mine was in one for a while but personally I think they need more width than 13". Mine is now in a 70g (48"X18") and I think he is much more comfortable. I think 36" might be too short. These are pretty big fish and that doesn't give it a lot of room. As for plants I wouldn't bother with live ones, mine tears apart plastic ones so I can't see live ones standing much of a chance. And growth wise, they grow very fast, I don't know how many hit 12" or more, mine hit 10" a year ago and has been pretty much the same since (just more girth). I don't think I'd put one in a 36" tank, but they are for sure very interesting fish if you have the room for them!

 

[piranha_tim]

Its sucks ... Really wanted an Oscar but this is how it goes.

I have been looking at firemouths ... But I can't find anything.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I believe that you can keep one oscar, as it will take quite a few months before he reaches 12"+ so i would say go for it as long as you plan to get a bigger tank if he needs it later on

Goodluck if you do plan to get him.

Thats a shame because I read an article that oscars rarely reach over 12" that would leave a full 6" free space for turning and if I decorate the enviroment correctly which soft plants this wont inhibit the space the oscar can use ...

I will have to think about it ... I would hate to have things go wrong ... but I have been interested in oscars ...

I have definitely seen Oscars over 12 inches, like said I would put 4 or 5 of the specimens I have seen at 15 or 16 inches!