Questions On Oscars

[EliteFishy]

Im planning on getting Oscars so I have been doing some research. On some websites it says that the min. tank size for one oscar is 30 gallons and on other websites it says 55-75 gallons for one oscar. Im planing on getting two oscars so what size tank should I get?

 

[freddyk]

An Oscar in a 30 gallon is a good way to stunt their growth and eventually kill them. Don't forget that there is a difference between 'a pair' of oscars, and two oscars. Two random Oscars will grow, mature, and most likely start to fight. A pair of oscars will co-exist with nothing more then 'lovers spats'. To gain a pair you just can't randomly buy two oscars, you need to get a few, raise them together, let a pair form, and remove the remainders.

Anyway, here's the same answer I always give to this question:

When considering the size of the tank you'll want to consider the adult size. Any Oscar you get will reach about 12" within 2-3 years. A male, over time, will continue to 14, or even 16 inches when provided proper room. This is no slender cichlid either -this is a big, thick, meaty, and very messy 14 incher. There are three things we need to look at: wandering room, maneauverability, and pollution.

4 feet is a nice length for one or a compatible pair of Oscars, it gives them a bit of space to swim, and gives you a bit of space to decorate so you don't have just a big empty tank with a fish floating around. In this aspect that 55 or 75 will work, or even a 40 gallon breeder, which is also 4' long.

The 12" depth of the 40 or 55 gallon will be fine for a good two years, but after this your Oscar will be living in a 2 dimensional world where it can only swim to one end, fold itself over, and swim to the other end. You will also be unable to have decor in the tank because the adult fish will need all the space. The 18" depth of the larger tank will let you put some driftwood or fake plants or whatever and make it look like an aquarium instead of a tank while giving the fish a bit of living space for the long term.

An often overlooked aspect is simple water volume. The more you have, the cleaner the tank will keep for the same amount of time. The extra 20 gallons of the 75 makes a difference, and the extra 15 in the 90 gallon makes even more of a difference. Since Oscars foul the water quickly, and foul water will lead to poor growth (not just slower, but ugly and possibly stunted) and diseases like the notorious hole-in-the-head, the answer is simple - as big as you can.

 

[Tolak]

I'm no expert, but I've been doing a ton of research since I picked up a little oscar a while back. You can start with a smaller tank, but not for long. Plan on having a 75 or better within 6 months. Mine is a 2 incher in a 20 high, I plan on having mine in either a 38 gallon or 63 gallon in a few weeks, depending on which gets resealed first. A 75 is in the future, for 1 oscar, and probably a plec. I'm trying to work a deal with glasscages who are coming to town in December & again in March. Time for a few fishroom upgrades.

Not all oscars get along, even if they are raised together since they were fry. 75 gallons is bare minimum for 2 oscars, they need space due to territory issues. A breeding pair might work in a 55, with twice weekly water changes, and some massive overfiltration. If you have 2 that aren't compatable, a 75 won't be big enough.

Tolak

 

[Somethings Fishy Here]

FreddyK hit the nail on the head.... if you want a pair you need to get quite a few preferably from a few different LFS for variety and once two show characteristics of pairing off send the other packing... that probably means you want an aquarium bigger than 55 gallons. When i had Oscars I never had them in anything under 80 gallons just to be on the safe side space wise.

 

[EliteFishy]

If i get two oscars, will they pair off or should i get 3-6?

 

[Somethings Fishy Here]

Every time I got Oscars i went with 6 getting them from different LFS to cut back the chance of siblings pairing as some LFS get a batch of fry from someone and sell them all together and yes, there is a chance that if you get two oscars they will pair off but the safer bet is 4 or more

 

[freddyk]

If i get two oscars, will they pair off or should i get 3-6?

To gain a pair you just can't randomly buy two oscars, you need to get a few, raise them together, let a pair form, and remove the remainders.

There is a small chance you will randomly get two, but not likely. Once they grow big enough to start battling it will be that much tougher to gain a pair, so it's a much better idea to start with a few.

 

[spAcE mOnkEy]

Get the biggest tank you can get. In my opinion footprint is more important then the amount of gallons the tank has. But with oscars, you really need those gallons because they are big messy fish. Id say get a tank of atleast 6ft and 125 gallons.

 

[EliteFishy]

can i have three oscars in a 80 gallon tank with one cannister filter and one hang on bio wheel filter?

 

[offutt_chris]

well if they just said that 75 gallons was the bare minimum for 2 oscars, i really dont think three in a tank that is only 5 gallons more will work.

 

[prankster705]

75-80 gal is the minimum for a pair.

 

[Paul_MTS]

75-80 gal is the minimum for a pair, so you can just dream on, cos it isn't going to work out, accept it and learn to live with it.

That was uncalled for and held no useful information. Keep comments like that to yourself next time.

Some times if you raise 2 oscars together from young they will become best mates, although you may also pick 2 which are going to fight to the death once older.

Your best off getting 1 in my opinion then maybe put a couple smaller cichlids in like blue acaras or firemouths which are big enough to stand there own against an oscar. Personally I think most min sizes are under estimated and if you saw a full grown oscar in the size tanks that have been said you would go against it.

I would also like to mention that if you put your oscar(s) in a smaller tank first your going to have to rush your set up very quickly to get them in a bigger tank. If you feed them correctly your only going to have abut 1-2months time until they outgrow the tank.

My best advice to you, is to get the biggest tank you can afford and house plus get yourself a good external filter for it.

 

[prankster705]

Please read this, it's the most info on oscars I have found:
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/oscar_cichlid.php

 

[Kopix Nation]

You need a big tank at least 60g!! And don't bother with plants they tear them apart! And watch out for hole-in-the-head!

claire

 

[Fella]

You need a big tank at least 60g!! And don't bother with plants they tear them apart! And watch out for hole-in-the-head!

claire

I think 75 gallons as a minimum is the widely held view for a single oscar without stunting, and giving sufficient swimming room.