How long could and oscar stay in a 55?

[fishman09]

my oscar grew from 2.5 in to 6 in in 3 months.

 

[AngryCichlids]

No i don't think an oscar could last in a 55, they get to big. I've seen pictures of oscars that are 14 to 16 even 17 inches and oscars of that size could not possibly turn around or be comfortable in a 55.

Yes but they wouldnt get that big in a 55 those 16-18 inchers are the ones that have been living in a 150 ther whole lives

 

[AngryCichlids]

That should never be done, yes the fish might look fine, but really that's completely unintellagent to do to any Cichlid over 6".

Im not saying i like to see a ten inch fish in a tank where they can only swim a foot to the side but im saying it can be done. Same thing with a person. A person can easily survive in a 5x5 room but that just seems wrong to do.

 

[Jc1119]

Yes but they wouldnt get that big in a 55 those 16-18 inchers are the ones that have been living in a 150 ther whole lives

Exactly...........in a 55, as an adult, its growth is stunted. Whatever the potential size of the fish is, is what you should always plan for. Not the minimum.

I think youd have about 6 months before youd need to get a bigger tank. They do grow pretty fast though

 

[MN Fish]

The 55 is fine for the fish but it wont be able to turn around you need a tank that is 18 inches wide .55's are usaully 48X12

 

[MN Fish]

Oscars also produce alot os waste so a 55 isnt alot of water . You would have to do water changes a couple of times a week

 

[cmsbthebest]

The 55 is fine for the fish but it wont be able to turn around you need a tank that is 18 inches wide .55's are usaully 48X12

then the tank isn't fine for the fish if it can't turn around

 

[Pomatomus]

IMO a 55 is a suitable growout tank for an oscar for about a year. Until about the size people have quoted. You just have to maintain good water quality.

 

[AngryCichlids]

Exactly...........in a 55, as an adult, its growth is stunted. Whatever the potential size of the fish is, is what you should always plan for. Not the minimum.

I think youd have about 6 months before youd need to get a bigger tank. They do grow pretty fast though

There is a difference between stunting and growing to somethings potential. Do you really think that any fish is meant to be kept in a glass tank. I dont care how big the tank is it doesnt compare to the wild where the fish can swim wherever it wants. So in a way you are always going to stunt the fish. Its done all the time. So my philosophy is if your going to have a fish in a glass tank it should have enough room to turn around, swim back and forth, and should be fed enough to keep it healthy. Thats all you need for a fish to live. If your going for a monster fish that looks amazing than yes your going to need a huge tank maybe even a pond but not very many people want to spend that time and money on a fish.

 

[AngryCichlids]

then the tank isn't fine for the fish if it can't turn around

Another thing i dont understand. Lets say there is a tank that is 14 inches wide and a fish that is 18 inches long. The fish can turn around. Knock of the tail fish because that can bend 90 degrees and knock off another few inches cuz the fish isnt a piece of wood it can bend. A tank that is 14 inches wide and a fish 18 inches long in it would be very cramped and should probably have no ornaments. The tank would have to be tall so the fish can at least be able to easily move up and down. Probably not the best thing for the fish but it would still work.