i had a single oscar in a 55 gal and never had problems with HITH. b/c he was "dirty" i did 50% water changes weekly. i will agree tho tht this is an absolute minimum tank size for them, but it can be done. everyone i think will agree tht given the funds they would love to put all their fish in a bigger tank but some of us arent fortunate enough to be able to have small ponds in our houses! you got a 65 with plenty enough turn around space. i'd say go 4 it if thts the fish you really want!
can my oscar live in a 60 gallon tank for life
- Thread starter oscaroo
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I've seen oscars over 20 inches.... sad to see so many agree that this sized tank is good for an oscar for life, If anything it is a holding tank till his second year or even his first year, i wouldn't keep one in anything short of a 120g
I must correct myself, the oscars I am referring to were pond dwellers of over 5000 gallons
I must correct myself, the oscars I am referring to were pond dwellers of over 5000 gallons
This.
I think one of the big problems with oscars is people will go to petco or petsmart, see the cute little baby oscars and buy a pair for a 55 gallon. Very common move and one that my roommates made a few years ago. Once they got to about 8-9 inches there just was not enough room and the albino ended up killing the other. At the time we did not have the resources or space for anything larger than the 55. We have since upgraded our oscar to a 240 along with a dempsey and juvi RTC (pond coming soon).
The oscar, although very common, is still one of my favorite cichlids to this day. Their personality more than makes up for their maintenance requirements. It's just a shame that so many oscars don't get to ever see a tank that size. The owners never get to experience their natural behaviors, and the oscars don't get to live a happy life.
Anyways, to answer your question simply...no. As aquanero said, 90 at minimum, but I would look into at least a 125. Yes it's larger, but if you go used you won't be paying much more than you will for a 90. If you keep your eyes open you may be able to find yourself something bigger. We paid as much for our 240 with stand and canopy as I saw many 125-180 gallons going for.
I grew one O from 1" to 7", and his tank mate from 1" to 5" together in a 55. Filtration consisted of 2 Emperor 400s. and a Fluval 405. 50-65% water change weekly. This lasted 7 months. Their now both in a 180G. With Pink Convicts, Giant Danios and Marmokrebs for "Tank Mates". As well as a 7" Leopard Sailfin pleco (Common). Filtration consists of an FX5, and a Sump. Water changes are 45% weekly. Give or take. Os are Dirty, Filthy eaters with Big poop. The Filthy eater part is primarily controlled by the Convicts and the Danios. As the Os dump crushed pellet into the tank the others freak out going after it. The Pleco gets Algae Wafer and has 3 pieces of Holey rock to keep clean as well as a Hunk of Drift Wood hidden in the corner.
I find it's MUCH easier in the new tank. Especially with the little guys in their. But I'd never been able to keep anything in the 55. And my Larger O wouldn't do well in a 65 at this point. 1 1/2 years old.
I find it's MUCH easier in the new tank. Especially with the little guys in their. But I'd never been able to keep anything in the 55. And my Larger O wouldn't do well in a 65 at this point. 1 1/2 years old.
I agree that most of us would love to have larger tanks but that is no excuse to keep potentially large fish in inadequately sized aquariums. There is a minimum size that should be adhered to for the health of the fish. You don't need a pond to pull this off for most species, just the sense and patients to hold off on a certain fish until you have the means to keep it. If a person can't afford to buy an appropriately sized tank or pond for a certain fish, well maybe they shouldn't buy that species of fish. A fish or group of fish of the right size would make better sense. Cramming a fish into a small tank just because you can't afford better is no excuse and makes very little sense.
I must say I cannot agree with jstanley's comments. This may not be the best analogy, but if someone wanted a Bullmastiff, but lives in a one room efficency apartment with no room for the dog to move around and play, you wouldn't tell them "It's what you want so go for it." You'd tell them to get a Chihuahua (if even that) because a 130 lb Bullmastiff would be miserable in a 400 square foot apartment. It all boils down to "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should..."
But in all honesty, all of this talk won't change anything. Someone is at Petsmart, right now looking at an Albino Oscar thinking "Wow, he would look great in my 1 gallon goldfish bowl"
But in all honesty, all of this talk won't change anything. Someone is at Petsmart, right now looking at an Albino Oscar thinking "Wow, he would look great in my 1 gallon goldfish bowl"
I don't understand how the tank keeps getting bigger. At first didn't you say (not in this thread btw) it was 50 gallons? Then in another thread it was 55g, then 60g, and now it's 65 gallons? Seems kind of suspicious for some reason...will it grow into a 75 gallon in your next thread?
To put it simply your tank won't be healthy for your oscar for life... get a 120 or bigger or get a smaller fish
did you read the size tank he wants to put an oscar in? you recommend tankmates for that sized tank? o.0
