My first Oscar I bought out of a group of little 2" fish at the LFS. I had him as sole tank occupant for 11 years, and he grew to 14" - in a 29g tank.
I know, I know it was too small. But he was a healthy fish and I was a penniless college student and then a newly married guy with a kid. I fed him earthworms and lots of feeder goldfish, occasionally crickets and every once in a while he would accept pellet food if you hand fed him each one individually.
But he was a messy eater like all Oscars and the tank maintenace was heavy and I had airstones in 5 gallon buckets aging water in the next room. He died of old age, I think, in 1986.
I know, I know it was too small. But he was a healthy fish and I was a penniless college student and then a newly married guy with a kid. I fed him earthworms and lots of feeder goldfish, occasionally crickets and every once in a while he would accept pellet food if you hand fed him each one individually.
But he was a messy eater like all Oscars and the tank maintenace was heavy and I had airstones in 5 gallon buckets aging water in the next room. He died of old age, I think, in 1986.
