Although it can be done in a 55.It is never a good idea to keep a fish in a tank that is not wider than the fish is long.75 should be the minimum an oscar is kept in, after the 10-12" mark
How Long oscar in 55 gallon
- Thread starter FISH4LIFE
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there are plenty of great cichlids one can keep in a 55G . . . it's just not an ideal size for an oscar, because of the narrow width (as has been noted) . . . I would not describe 55G as "cruel", but I would say it is "inadequate". . .
if I had a 55G, I would consider other fish, and if I wanted an oscar, I would consider a larger tank . . . if I didn't have the space for a larger tank, then I wouldn't get an oscar
if I had a 55G, I would consider other fish, and if I wanted an oscar, I would consider a larger tank . . . if I didn't have the space for a larger tank, then I wouldn't get an oscar
Wrong on the size of the 75g being acouple more inches. Here are your stats. Looks like almost 6".dogofwar;3734667; said:
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]55 Gallon [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]48 1/4" x 12 3/4" x 21"[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]75 Gallon [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]48 1/2" x 18 1/2" x 21 3/8"[/FONT]
Also, it's the width of the 55g, not the length that makes it inadequate. If they have enough room for the 55g, they will have enough room for a 75g as it is only 6" wider.
We finally agree on the upgrade part, and your right some will toss the oscars in a 20g high in hopes to sell it fast. Most shops I have seen that are not a corp ussually have atleast a 120-150g for the larger fish like Oscars and Pacus that require a large tank after their owners grow them out and relize it's to much fish for their tank.
I dont believe a 55 is to small a buddy of mine kept a 14" oscar a 4" JD And a 4" firemouth in a 55. Not that i agree with this but the oscar was happy as can be. Greeted us everytime we walked in the room, great coloring, and no sulking. Now im not saying its right to keep those 3 fish in a 55 but an oscar by itself i completly agree that you can keep it in a 55 for life with good filtration and tank cleanings. And you ask just because it can be done is it right? Yes, as long as your oscar is happy it really is.
iCichlidKeeper;3735123; said:
judging by the sizes, perhaps that JD was stunted from all the waste caused by the oscar and the other fish in the tank though...the issue still is that while it can be an option for some time assuming great filtration and WC's, it is not the best choice for the long term
No the jd wasnt stunted. He got the oscar jd and firemouth at those sizes. He rescued the oscar from someone had him in a 30 gal L. And the jd and firemouth are much bigger now so they are still growing. And yes i agree with you that its not the best choice but it can be done. And it cann be done without it being "wrong". Its just more work.
iCichlidKeeper;3736123; said:
if the water changes are done very frequently, and the filtration is great, you can do it in terms of water quality, but when the oscar gets longer than the tank is wide, it is the humane thing to do to go for an upgrade
The oscar is fully grown and healthy. He has no trouble turning in the tank and is happy as can be. And this is with 2 other big fish in the tank. IMO you can do it no problem in a 55 as long as your fish is happy and you keep its water clean youn are fine. Yes i do agree a 75 is much better. But if you cant do a 75 a 55 should be fine.
i once kept 3full grown oscars in a 55 but they where a hybrid breed that was short bodied and i did 20 percent water changes everyday they where all very happy and bright colored and the tank was way over filtered 4 aquaclear 110's
