40x18x18???

[rust9000]

Hi
I would like to keep an oscar, ive had them before but in large cichlid community tanks and not on their own. i have a 60g (40x18x18 bow front). i dont want to keep one on its own as such, i would like some dither fish with it, now my questions are:
1) will an oscar be ok in my tank?
2) what dither fish can i keep with it (if any)?
3) any particular decor needed?

Thanks in advance

 

[Chago09]

I am gonna say no way only because 30" is a horrible amount of swimming space for a 12" fish. Plus you need 55 gallons minimum of water to dilute Oscar crap. Trust me even a standard 55 gallon is hard to keep clean with a full grown Oscar. My Oscar is 13" and is a very thick and heavy fish, with a lot of waste. Your tank is like 40 gallons which is for sure not enough. Plus if your Oscar is 12" if you think about it he only has 6" to move back and forth in a 30" tank.

 

[Bderick67]

No, you would have to upgrade to at least a 75g(48" x 18" x 21"). The oscar can grow quite large 12" plus. A 55g is even to small for an adult, the fish should be able to face the front of the tank without it's mouth and tail hitting glass. It is sad how many people think it is ok and recomend such a tank.

As far`as dithers go, well they can't fit into the oscars mouth or they will be eaten, and unless you've got a larger tank, more fish probably not a good Idea.

 

[balton777]

100%.

 

[rust9000]

hahaha im an idiot its 40x18x18 lol, it says so in the text my bad guys.....

 

[Bderick67]

hahaha im an idiot its 40x18x18 lol, it says so in the text my bad guys.....

I read that in your text, and that was considered in my previous reply.

 

[nomadofthehills]

40x18x18 should work out pretty well.

 

[Fry]

40x18x18 should work out pretty well.

you really have to be on top of water changes though, i keep my oscar in a 50 (36x18x19) and i do 50% water changes twice a week, it's working out pretty well - oscar is over 12.5" TL, looks great and happy

i would try a pictus cat with an oscar to clean up after it, i don't think there's room for good dither fish since there's already a big load, maybe silver dollars

 

[rust9000]

Thanks guys, silver dollars will get to big for my tank, i was thinking more of maybe rainbow fish??

 

[cichniss]

I dont suggest rainbows, they will most likely become oscar food in a matter of time. I would suggest that you keep the oscar in your tank completely alone. But even with only a single oscar you must really keep up on water changes. And have the tank heavily filtered. As for decor try to provide a lot of open area for the fish to swim because you have only got 60 gallons, so keep the decor at a minimum.