How Fast Do Oscars Grow?

[liserini]

I am currently in the process of obtaining a 4ft x 1ft(w) x1.5ft(d) tank. I would like to have an oscar or two in it. Can anyone advise on how quickly they will outgrow the tank? I have 2 6ft x 2ft x 2ft in storage at the moment, and will hopefully set one of them up next year. Would 2 oscars be ok, sizewise, in a 4ft for a year if I buy them as small as possible. The tank will also contain 2 large angelfish, a plec, catfish and red tailed shark. Any advise will gratefully received. Thanks

 

[Ginge]

this is a quote from CFC.

Do you mean the Juwel Rekord 120?

If so no, absolutely not. A single adult oscar requires a minimum of a 55 gallon tank as a single fish species tank, the 120 is just a little over 30 gallons.

You tank is about 45gallons so i would think you could keep a sinlge oscar with nothing else in that tank for just under a year but this is just a guess TBH.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I really wouldn't advise it, if you've got the big tank wit until that's set up then get the Oscar, they grow very fast in the first year, get to about 10 inches then it slows right down after that and they continue growing for most of they're adult life.

 

[KathyM]

The tank will also contain 2 large angelfish, a plec, catfish and red tailed shark. Any advise will gratefully received. Thanks

Hi

Putting the tank size vs growth issue aside, an oscar can't live with angels, and you might have problems with the catfish (depending on species) and RTS too.

If you're really wanting an oscar, it might be best to wait 'til one of the 6ft tanks is out of storage, then using that for the oscar and keeping your current tank for the others? I don't know if that's a viable option for you?

Take care

Kathy

 

[liserini]

Thanks for all the advice I already have a 3ft tank set up for smaller types of fish so was hoping to get larger fish in the 4ft tank. Can anyone recommend any larger fish suitable for a 4ft tank?

KathyM - My sister had an oscar living with an anglefish and a plec before. They were very happy together, the angelfish would swim alongisde the oscar. Why can't these be kept together?

Thanks again all

 

[KathyM]

Hi liserini

I've owned an oscar, and currently own angelfish. Oscars get to 12-16" (as you know from your sister's probably), whereas an angel gets to about 5-6". Now that alone isn't reason not to keep them together, but having watched them, angels are delicate fish prone to stress related illness (which can be severe/fatal), and also have long finnage. Coupled with an oscar's potential bullying AND the size issue, I don't think (personally) they're a good match at all. Better companions for oscars are tougher cichlids - not necessarily aggressive but able to hold their own.

For the 4ft tank you could keep a pair of angels, or maybe one or two similar sized cichlids (although ask others for advice on those as I think breeding pairs of some species would need larger tanks). Or a nice small/dwarf cichlid community.

For example, in my 4ft tank now there are two juvi angels, 2 bolivian rams, 5 penguin tetras, 6 cories and 3 young plecs (although the plecs will not last permanently in a 4ft unless they're of a small species, eg Bristlenose - commons and gibbies aren't suited to this size when mature).

What are the dimensions of the 4ft? Angels need a depth of at least 18" and preferably 2ft.

Hope that helps

Kathy

Sorry - just read the dimensions - d'uhh at me.

 

[liserini]

Thanks very much I'll certainly look into the smaller cichlids. Not planning on any breeding...yet!

 

[KathyM]

LOL good luck whatever you decide Oh and pics when you get things going

 

[Rocky32189]

Oscar's grow about an inch a month. After they reach about 8" their growth rate slows down but they will keep growing until they are about a foot in length.

 

[wolverine2031]

Gibbiceps are not small pleco's and can often grow upto 16inches.... though the others are....

Bristlenose, bull dog, clown pleco's, yellow tiger pleco's, L144, albino pleco, and zebra can all be kept in 4ft or smaller fish tanks with the right environment and set up

 

[waterdrop]

Nice info but old thread! Welcome to our beginners section wolverine!

~~waterdrop~~