I am looking into getting an Oscar, yet there seems to be a debate on what size tank to keep them in. I am looking to get the maximum amount of time out of a tank without compromising the health of the Oscar. What size do you keep yours in?
Help me settle a debate....
- Thread starter missmeliss
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I did grow him out in a 30 then 55, then when he hit size, moved him up
75 gallon minimum for a single specimen, they need the extra room for turning. A 55g only has something like 12 or 13" turning room and an oscar hits 14"+. Obviously bigger is better but a 75g is minimum IMO.
I would say a 90 gallon minimum for one. The only real difference between a 90 and a 75 is a few inches height (generally) and more water volume, so I guess a 75 would be the absolute bare minimum for one oscar. I still say, bigger is better, esp if you plan on keeping a pleco too.
125 or bigger if you want a oscar a pleco and a tank mate that is bigger then a oscar if i read that right. Oscars get pretty big 14-15 inches or so. I had one in a 75 buy its self and it was around the 13 inch mark and i got rid of it. this was years ago. And the tank wasnt big enough for it which is trickly my opinion. They dont turn around well like some other fish do and need more room. felt bad for it in there. In theory when you are thinking about it in your head it sounds plenty big enough. But seeing it swim around in there is a tottally different visuall. I mean it deffenitly can live in a 75. And isn't by any means crewl to keep it in one. But deffenitly bigger would be a better home for one and be more happy. And be easier to maintain the water quilty of the tank If you want more insight. Put this thread in the ca cichlid section
unless you have a LOT of time on your hands, i'd say 100+, i just had my guy that i got from petsmart for a little over a month, got him healthy and traded him in. I just didn't have the time for so many extra water changes on the 75, and this guy was probably only 6.5"