Are longer tanks better than wider?

fishhead0103666

Alligator Gar
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Are you wanting to put an oscar and green terror together? Multiple of both fish?
 

fishhead0103666

Alligator Gar
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Ok then, while a 4’ x 2’ x 2’ gives you more options to aquascape and it easier to find room for those are things that are good for the aquarist, not what’s good for the fish. If you’re going to have them together then I’d definitely go for the longer tank so they will be more likely to each have their own territory and not go after each other.
 

Blakewater

Aimara
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Theres a balance with all 3 dimensions. Ultimately it depends on the fish and your maximum space. Width should be at least wide enough for the fish at full size to be able to turn around with ease. Height should be tall enough so that full grown fish can swim above and below each other without colliding. Finally, length [in my opinion] should be at least 2.5 to 3 times the full grown length of the fish but should be as long as you can afford. In the end all dimensions are important and should be as large as you can afford, but, length is what will give the fish the most room to swim and exercise so that should be the dimensions you try to extend as far as you can assuming all other needs are met.
 

Rocksor

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A 10" oscar will easily defend up to 8 feet of space from 9" green terror. It doesn't matter how many hides you put in if the oscar decides to own the whole tank.
 
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fishhead0103666

Alligator Gar
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Is this a “show” tank? If not then could a stock tank be possible? You could get a bigger tank for less.
If this is a “show” tank and you have about 6’-7’ of space length wise and about 3’ of width then you could get a 6’ x 3’ for a bit less than $900 before shipping here
You could then build a cabinet for it if you will to hide everything except the window.
 

dan518

Potamotrygon
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Sep 20, 2014
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I generally prefer a wider tank, gives the fish the ability to move further away from you if it wants, or it's spooked. Also find it easier to scape and still leave ample swimming space. But the tank still has to be long and wide enough for the planned stock, an infinitely long tank that's only 12 inches wide is still too small for a 13 inch fish.
 
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