Caring for rescued oscar + should I rehome?

[duanes]

I see the word "rescue" used very often, then a large growing fish is put in cramped quarters, which in my opinion is abuse, so I believe the word misused and an oxymoron term in that kind of context.
If the fish is not rehomed soon, I believe being eaten by a bird, gator of large fish would be natural, much more humane fate, than a prolonged stay in a tiny cell.
So doing the "right thing", is a matter of opinion.

 

[r.e.g.]

I see the word "rescue" used very often, then a large growing fish is put in cramped quarters, which in my opinion is abuse, so I believe the word misused and an oxymoron term in that kind of context.
If the fish is not rehomed soon, I believe being eaten by a bird, gator of large fish would be natural, much more humane fate, than a prolonged stay in a tiny cell.
So doing the "right thing", is a matter of opinion.

I absolutely agree that staying in a 10 gallon much longer would be unacceptable. I've decided to take him to the fish store today but if he were staying with me, he'd have been going into a much larger tank in the next few days.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

I see the word "rescue" used very often, then a large growing fish is put in cramped quarters, which in my opinion is abuse, so I believe the word misused and an oxymoron term in that kind of context.
If the fish is not rehomed soon, I believe being eaten by a bird, gator of large fish would be natural, much more humane fate, than a prolonged stay in a tiny cell.
So doing the "right thing", is a matter of opinion.

Yes it is, which brings us to a point of intent. They intended to do the right thing, and are continuing to do the right thing by asking for help on this forum. Until you came along with your judgmental, holier than thou comment. If you read more than "Oscar" "Rescue" and "10 Gallon tank" you'd see that the OP posted his question in an articulate, compassionate manner.

 

[Ogertron3000]

I see the word "rescue" used very often, then a large growing fish is put in cramped quarters, which in my opinion is abuse, so I believe the word misused and an oxymoron term in that kind of context.
If the fish is not rehomed soon, I believe being eaten by a bird, gator of large fish would be natural, much more humane fate, than a prolonged stay in a tiny cell.
So doing the "right thing", is a matter of opinion.

You can say "rescue" or "remove introduced fish from native waters" by removing the fish and trying to find it a suitable home then the right thing has been done. Maybe the Oscar would have been eaten or maybe it would have survived and eaten all the local fish and tadpoles.
A few weeks in a small tank isn't too much of a price to pay for a happy outcome for the Oscar and the native fish in the end.

 

[Gourami Swami]

If you can swing the 75 and don't think it will be too difficult for you to move, etc. then I'd say get it. It's not optimal but I think it's fine for a single Oscar, definitely better than becoming egret food. If you can't manage the 75 I'd put an ad in the marketplace here for "free to good home" and someone will take him. Just ask for some proof that the person has a suitable setup.

 

[r.e.g.]

Thanks again for your insight everyone. On Friday afternoon, I took him to my LFS to give him another shot at a forever home. I miss him but I am relieved that he's now living in a cycled tank. Keeping him certainly would have gone against my better judgement. I'd really been wanting to set up a new tank and then a fish appeared out of nowhere, so it was very hard to let him go. I'm going to get a much smaller tank and stock it with species that I'm much more comfortable caring for.

Finally, here's a picture of him.

 

[J. H.]

That looks like a longfin Oscar to me. Their fins are always ragged.

 

[FishWife200]

The 10 gallon is much better than the Egrets in the pond! You are a kind person to do the work to help. Enjoy him while you have him and hopefully you will find a new good home for him.

 

[r.e.g.]

Hey there, thought I'd post an update. Dunstin is still at the LFS but he's looking fabulous. His fins have grown back completely, which makes me very happy to see.

In other news, today I was walking around my apartment complex and found ANOTHER oscar, this time in the larger pond. This one is bigger, probably 5-6 inches, and isn't albino so he's much less conspicuous. He's living with a big shoal of sunfish. I tried for at least 2.5 hours to net him with no luck. He'll come in to very shallow water and right up to the net, but not over it. I'm going to keep trying.

Edited to add: I could probably get him with a seine. However, I'd also get a LOT of sunfish so I'm not sure I want to that route! It would be fun though.

 

[Toiletcar]

Hey there, thought I'd post an update. Dunstin is still at the LFS but he's looking fabulous. His fins have grown back completely, which makes me very happy to see.

In other news, today I was walking around my apartment complex and found ANOTHER oscar, this time in the larger pond. This one is bigger, probably 5-6 inches, and isn't albino so he's much less conspicuous. He's living with a big shoal of sunfish. I tried for at least 2.5 hours to net him with no luck. He'll come in to very shallow water and right up to the net, but not over it. I'm going to keep trying.

Edited to add: I could probably get him with a seine. However, I'd also get a LOT of sunfish so I'm not sure I want to that route! It would be fun though.

I think you did the right thing. Not only taking to a LFS, but taking an invasive species out of an ecosystem. Oscars can do some damage. If you live somewhere where it’s warm especially.