Oscar Question

[sunstrip]

I have 4 tanks at the moment...a wide variety of small to medium fish..but we want to get a large tank (150 gallons or more for the living room) and stock it with some some large fish(only freshwater)...Oscars and some other compatible Cichlids...have been around long enough...that i know the In's and outs of things..but I was wondering...there is a local fish store...that has only been open for a few months (3 or 4 I do believe)...and STUPIDLY they shoved 6 or 7 Oscars in a VERY small tank...I feel REALLY sorry for the fish...and was wondering..if I were to take 2 or 3 off there hands...would they be good fish to take ??? or are they so stunted...that they are beyond repair ??? A little more info for ya'll...they started off as Oscars that were only about 2 inches...they are now about 4 to 5 inches long ...what do you guys think ?...BTW...at the moment...they still look very healthy...will they come back and grow to the normal size ??? sorry for so many questions guys.

 

[kribensis12]

Oscars grow to about 12 inches. Around 1 to 2 inches a month, depending on diet. I wouls say get a couple once you get the 150 set -up and cycled. But dont get them until then, as they are quite messy and can get mean.

NOTE: This belongs in the New World Cichlid Area.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

TBH Mate I wouldnt get them, with oscars they can live very long and get very big......I would wait and look around for a Oscar that Really catches your eye and is a really good quality as you will have him for so long and you dont want to have a few shabby oscars you want the best you can get right?

 

[darknirvana217]

With that mind set those poor Oscars will be there forever. I picked a four inch Oscar that was a trade in at my LFS. I had had a red variant but lost him after the filter shut down, so I decided to get this guy. His face has restored to its normal shape and his colors have come in. I'll post a picture as soon as I can get one of him to show you how nice even ragged Oscars can become.

 

[sunstrip]

Oscars grow to about 12 inches. Around 1 to 2 inches a month, depending on diet. I wouls say get a couple once you get the 150 set -up and cycled. But dont get them until then, as they are quite messy and can get mean.

NOTE: This belongs in the New World Cichlid Area.

Cool...thanks man...as I said...been around the block a few times and made some big mistakes and have learned big time...this tank will be cycled fully.

TBH Mate I wouldnt get them, with oscars they can live very long and get very big......I would wait and look around for a Oscar that Really catches your eye and is a really good quality as you will have him for so long and you dont want to have a few shabby oscars you want the best you can get right?

I can relate bro..I was thinking the same thing.....I feel SOOOOO sorry for the ones (Oscars) that this store has though...the young chick that takes care of that area of the store (part time) feels sorry for them also (she knows her stuff...and has great boobs....LMAO !!! )..seems the owner wont listen to her....dam shame...I want to a new healthy tank...but don't want to take on any headaches....some peeps are store owners are such assholes !!!!

Oh...thanks for the replies guys !!!

 

[Ace Of Spades]

Oscars grow to about 12 inches. Around 1 to 2 inches a month, depending on diet. I wouls say get a couple once you get the 150 set -up and cycled. But dont get them until then, as they are quite messy and can get mean.

NOTE: This belongs in the New World Cichlid Area.

Cool...thanks man...as I said...been around the block a few times and made some big mistakes and have learned big time...this tank will be cycled fully.

TBH Mate I wouldnt get them, with oscars they can live very long and get very big......I would wait and look around for a Oscar that Really catches your eye and is a really good quality as you will have him for so long and you dont want to have a few shabby oscars you want the best you can get right?

I can relate bro..I was thinking the same thing.....I feel SOOOOO sorry for the ones (Oscars) that this store has though...the young chick that takes care of that area of the store (part time) feels sorry for them also (she knows her stuff...and has great boobs....LMAO !!! )..seems the owner wont listen to her....dam shame...I want to a new healthy tank...but don't want to take on any headaches....some peeps are store owners are such assholes !!!!

Seems like your reason for getting the oscars isnt the pity, its the BOOBS XD.

But in all seriousness this happens all the time and you cant do anything about it, so what if you take 2 or 3, what about the other 3, how are you going to determine who gets the better life and who get the crap life.......IMO Id buy from baby much better if your fish grow with you...

 

[england]

yes set up the tank then go to the store and rescue them<make a fishes life better
try to look for a pair that seem to stay together,maybe go to the store a few times and concentrate for maybe 15minutes walk around go back to tank again 15mins,,,,,take a stroll down the shops return later and see if you spot two individuals who look like the could pair togehter.....
cichlids unfortuanatly tend to have evil streaks as ive found out,,,,have a vieja biff with two oscars and a jag,,,,vieja suddenly decided one day to beat the living #@$ out of BOTH my oscars,,,so now i have to rehome the vieja<beautiful fish mind but cichlids only just tolorate each other,<conclusion from my own exsperience>,,
they seem fine with other fish like silver dollars/silver sharks/tinfoils/catfish/
seriously even if you buy an oscars thats not cared for now,you care for it and watch it blossom you will feel proud and will come to love it just the same as if you paid $100 for it