55gallon oscar tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
K

kaninman

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 12, 2008
6
0
0
California
Hi everyone,
This is my first ever post so hello monster fish keepers!
I have a 55g tank and I'm set on getting 1 oscar. I was wondering if 3 bala sharks or 3 leporinus and possibly a rainbow shark would be compatible in that tank with the oscar? I am running an Emperor 400 biowheel filter and a Eheim pro II 2028 (a hand me down from my uncle). I have the appropriate water chemistry. I am aware of the 1square inch per gallon rule but I've watched a lot of youtube videos stretching that rule a little. Any opinions appreciated! Thanks much!

Oh and here's a pic of my tank.. using peat moss to help keep the ph at 7.5.. mmm tea. thats a toy goldfish btw =P
DSCN0901.jpg
 
Welcome to MFK. Tank looks nice and I'm sure your new oscar will be very happy in it. Others may disagree though.
 
Thanks thanks! Is there anything I should change? I got nothing but time to make it suitable before I add fish. All I got in there is a small pleco to keep the cycle going and the tank somewhat clean.
 
The oscar and the balas would be fine, but consider that balas can reach 12-15 inches but they are very slow growers. Leporinus will grow to 12 inches and can be quite nippy to fins. I have read that in the wild a main part of thier diet is other fishes fins, so they might not be the best idea in such a small tank. How about a blood parrot or a few severums?
 
A 55 gallon tank is only 12" front to back, balas and leoporinius are both12" long. Bad plan. Oscars are also a rather large adult fish. Mine is less than a year old and already 11.5" long. You would not be able to keep any of these fish in a 55 for long. If you have a larger tank standing by, go for it. Buy if you don't, you should consider smaller fish.
 
Wow, thanks for the recommendations! I'll surely consider blood parrots or severums! Looks like leporinus is getting scratched off the list. I was most iffy on them anyways. thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom