Hey zak. I want to commend you for seeking help and facing the firing squad with an objective attitude. Well done. You have the makings of a true mfkr if you see the issue and address it rather than turn a blind eye.
I, like many others here, fighting to establish a point of proper husbandry, have killed and maimed a few oscars and such, before knowing what we know now. After this process I have personally concluded that an Oscar should have at least 180 gal of its own space even as a 6-8 month old specimen.
Others may disagree, but if we read the opening screen of mfk. We are the people who will go to any lengths to make sure we give the best possible housing to our fish. Let’s stand on that as a community, rather than trying to push the limits on our wc schedule to see what doesn’t kill our fish.
Personally I like to see my fish flourish and swim around happily because of a great environment that I provide. I hate to see lethargic, pathetic mopey fish that are sick because they swim around in their own defecate. This is why it’s fun to do a wc imo. Just my .02$.
Thanks, man. That helped a lot. I planned on upgrading to a 120 this summer, possibly a 180 (depends on what i find on craigslist). And i thought i would be able to deal with such a large tank long term, but as time goes on, ive come to accept that keeping that size of a tank (although its possible, i want to, and can) it will be too much at the moment cause i have to deal with school, and eventually moving out and living on my own (+spouse) and more school, this is not a responsibility i want to dump on my parents or brother. maybe not at this point in time, but definitely at some point in the future i want to try keeping an Oscar (180+ tank). but i cant right now. so maybe the oscar dying was a blessing in disguise. just wish i could have rehomed him before he died.