Got my first BIG oscar. HELP ME!!!
- Thread starter Rikesh
- Start date
I have two, one is around 9 inches, and the other around 11 inches. It all depends on their temperment. If it gives you problems, just hold a net in one hand, and clean with the other. Chase it away when it comes to attack you. It doesn't hurt too bad when they're only around 8-9 inches, but the 11 incher can leave a mark. 
I've kept many oscars over the years and I've not encountered one that will out right attack me when doing maintenance. You need to allow them to be comfortable with you in thier space. If they attack let them know that you are not afraid and charge back they will learn to accept you and all will be well. As stated above they are like dogs, only under water of course, and much easier to clean up thier poop 
Also they do grow quickly and for 3 oscars you will definately want a 90 gal or larger, 75 min for 2.
Also they do grow quickly and for 3 oscars you will definately want a 90 gal or larger, 75 min for 2.Rikesh;2720234; said:I just got a couple of albino oscar from a trade. The *problem* is that one of the oscar is quite big. Around 20cm. Any tips on how to handle the fish:
for now i've managed to acclimate the fish in a bucket of water before dumping them in the tank. when i look at it, i just don't want to put my hand near thatany tips on tank maintenance?? Is the oscar really agressive??
And, any other things I should know for that fish size? I actually have a small tiger oscar too, can i put the three together?
Thanks
putting three oscar in one tank has its problems. if the tank is not big enough aggression can be a problem. if you get a pair the third oscar could be in for a rough time. if you end up with three males territorial disputes could become an issue.
as for tank size two oscars minimum tank size 100 gallons preferably 150 gallons. if you want to try all three in one tank i would go with a 180 gallon tank. whatever you choose to do you will need lots of filtration to go with the tank. when using a canister type filter you should go with something rated for twice the size of the aquarium.
hope this helps
i agree with cris. three oscars in a tank will pose a problem unless the tank is quite large (150 gallons or slightly more). usually what happens is two oscars will pair up and the third one will get beat down.
dont be afraid of oscars-i know they are huge fish, but i have kept 3 so far, and none of them have ever charged my hand if im cleaning the tank-ive found them to be quite subdued.
youre going to need a pretty large tank-and you will need to keep up on your waterchanges-i would change it once a week at 50 percent as oscars are poop machines-nitrate factories lol. also, if this is your first time having oscars please do some research here on proper diet-no lunchmeat, hotdogs or feeder fish. an oscar that doesnt get a proper diet and waterchanges is prone to HITH disease.
dont be afraid of oscars-i know they are huge fish, but i have kept 3 so far, and none of them have ever charged my hand if im cleaning the tank-ive found them to be quite subdued.
youre going to need a pretty large tank-and you will need to keep up on your waterchanges-i would change it once a week at 50 percent as oscars are poop machines-nitrate factories lol. also, if this is your first time having oscars please do some research here on proper diet-no lunchmeat, hotdogs or feeder fish. an oscar that doesnt get a proper diet and waterchanges is prone to HITH disease.
Three oscars can be very problematic. When we had four rescued oscars in their small (55 gallon) tank, it was no problem. When one of them died from HITH, immediately two of them ganged up on the last "odd" one and tried to kill him. We put him in his own tank. When we moved our fish into a 300 gallon tank, we moved Freddy back in with his old 'brothers'. Immediately, before they even had time to adjust to or explore their new home, the oscar pair began attacking Freddy.
Oscars are extremely messy fish and require good water parameters. Keeping nitrates low in a small tank is very difficult to do. The bare minimum tank size for one oscar is 55 gallons, with 75 gallons being better.
Oscars are extremely messy fish and require good water parameters. Keeping nitrates low in a small tank is very difficult to do. The bare minimum tank size for one oscar is 55 gallons, with 75 gallons being better.
I would say if you want to keep 3 full grown Oscars together and avoid major problems, you really need at least a 6' tank - a 4' 90 gallon will just not work for 3 12"-14" Oscars. In fact I know 2 people who had 3 full grown Oscars in a 180G, and had to remove one eventually due to aggression problems. Oscars are not that aggressive compared to most big cichlids, but they do sometimes get really aggressive with their own kind.
Oh, and I agree with other posters - excellent filtration (over-filtered) and water changes a minimum of once a week will be necessary for a tank with 3 Oscars - they are extremely messy fish, even for their size, and they are prone to HITH if their water is not kept clean and they are not fed a variety of good foods.
Oh, and I agree with other posters - excellent filtration (over-filtered) and water changes a minimum of once a week will be necessary for a tank with 3 Oscars - they are extremely messy fish, even for their size, and they are prone to HITH if their water is not kept clean and they are not fed a variety of good foods.
OMG. It seems that i'm going straight into another fish adventure 
Thank you guys(and ladies too) for all your help.
i've got a 1000 liter pond outside, but have some juvenile koi in that.
UPDATE:
My small tiger oscar went outside in a 90 liter barrel on its own.
The two I got today are in the tank i described earlier. I covered the tank and added a couple of swordtails for them to eat. I've fed them some earthworm and pellets.
Only the smaller one ate the worm. The bigger one seems shy...
I'm going to sleep now
I'm gonna check them in the morning.
Keep posting
Thank you guys(and ladies too) for all your help.
i've got a 1000 liter pond outside, but have some juvenile koi in that.
UPDATE:
My small tiger oscar went outside in a 90 liter barrel on its own.
The two I got today are in the tank i described earlier. I covered the tank and added a couple of swordtails for them to eat. I've fed them some earthworm and pellets.
Only the smaller one ate the worm. The bigger one seems shy...
I'm going to sleep now
I'm gonna check them in the morning.
Keep posting
