Oscars

[afireinside]

ok, later on this year, like in three months, i'm gonna get another 10 gallon tank. i really want an oscar, can i put one in there? my freind does...

 

[wwestar2000]

Well can u at least maybe get a 20 gallon. I know that people are gonna start yelling cause i said that but i think a 10 is way to small for a oscar. There major waste producers and will live in it in a 10 gallon tank. A 20 gallon tank will reduce it a little as i used to have one in a 20 gallon and he was very happy. I also saw 2 full grown oscars in a ten gallon at Petsmart that looked happy but i wouldnt do it based on that on a count of there really bad at pet keeping.

 

[freddyk]

A full grown Oscar is 12" to 16" long. Use common sense on this one. The answer is yes, absolutely - as long as you don't mind that the Oscar will end up living about 1/8th of his full potential life span before dying prematurely.

I also saw 2 full grown oscars in a ten gallon at Petsmart

 

[afireinside]

is there a drug to make fish smaller? is there a dwarf oscar?

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

 

[freddyk]

No, but there are smaller types of cichlids. A 10 gallon is practically useless for cichlids but you can keep a single dwarf specimen.

 

[Whiskerz]

I don't know much about Oscars but I do know they need atleast a 65 gallon tank.

I would definately not keep a Oscar in a 10 gallon, or a 20 gallon!

 

[Synirr]

I also saw 2 full grown oscars in a ten gallon at Petsmart that looked happy

Did they have to cut them up first to squeeze them in there???

Definitely nothing less than a 55 gallon for an oscar, and even that's pushing it. A 75 gallon+ would be best.
If you're considering a magic "drug to make fish smaller," maybe you should rethink fish ownership altogether. They're not pretty little toys that exist for the sole purpose of your enjoyment, they are pets who require care and hard work . Think of them as puppies that live underwater... you wouldn't want to use a magic potion to stunt a puppy, would you?

 

[afireinside]

oh yes i would! and besides, i decided to make it a guppy community tank. this topic should be closed now.

WHOOOO HOOOOOOO 300 POSTS!

 

[Dwarfs]

What just happened in this thread? I thought it was a joke at first
A ten gallon is well suited for guppies, but would never be appropriate for an oscar, or any cichlid over 4" long

 

[nitro]

What just happened in this thread?

Im with you too.

 

[Sky042]

+1 on what everyone else said.
You could house an adult oscar (1 only) in a 55 Gallon with no other fish.
You'd have to over filter and watch the water params pretty closely.

There is a good write up on it at another forum though I'm not sure how they'd feel about me giving out the link.

Oscars grow to be massive and produce something on the order of 35% of their bodyweight per day just in urine.

 

[Chino]

10 gallon? No way 20 gallon? Not even, try going a minimum 55 gallon like Sky said, these guys/gals are garbage disposals, the way they eat is usually the way it comes out, and by that I mean A LOT. They grow at a rapid rate and a 10 gallon would only lead to one thing.. Try going for something else in that 10 gallon or save up. Also tell your friend that hes slowly killing his oscar.