Keepers of oscars in 55's

[Spankbelly]

This thread is too funny, just because you can keep a fish a live in a tank doesn't mean it's good for it. To all the people that posted about keeping oscars healthy in 30 gallons; that's pretty small and not really a good idea and it may have worked, but you really shouldn't bring it up as though it's a good idea.

Oscars should be treated like any other fish that easily grows to 14+ inches and given a tank that it can turn around in. Bottom line I wouldn't keep an oscar in anything narrower that a 12", if you want to keep your oscar in a 55 gallon at least go buy a 50Br.

That's what I said.
But I said people who do do it probably don't care that much about about the fish itself being comfortable to begin with. Otherwise they wouldn't even try. So it might be futile to try to pursued them from that angle.
It might be better to pursued them to use proper housing for the benefit of the owner, since that is all they are likely to care about.
The benefits of less maintenance and time invested long term. For the relatively small cost of providing the correct habitat.
But it is not politically correct to suggest some pet owners do not care about the pet.
I guess we are required to go round and round the tree. To convince people who neither love or respect the animal, to love and respect the animal.
Unfortunately that approach does not always work. If the end goal is to benefit the animal, we sometimes should use an argument that can be accepted by people who accept only what benefits them.
I don't think it is possible to solve a problem by ignoring the root cause.
I don't think it is possible to have an enlightening discussion by deleting anything that is not status quo. By doing that we leave the problem as it was.
Obviously I am incorrect. Or at least not politically correct.

 

[TrikkyMakk]

This thread is too funny, just because you can keep a fish a live in a tank doesn't mean it's good for it. To all the people that posted about keeping oscars healthy in 30 gallons; that's pretty small and not really a good idea and it may have worked, but you really shouldn't bring it up as though it's a good idea.

Oscars should be treated like any other fish that easily grows to 14+ inches and given a tank that it can turn around in. Bottom line I wouldn't keep an oscar in anything narrower that a 12", if you want to keep your oscar in a 55 gallon at least go buy a 50Br.

Like I have said, you wouldn't just put a dog or cat in a box that has enough room to turn around in. These animals need lots of room just like any other.

 

[LobstersGoPeenchPeench]

mmm but alot of fish will only reach their maximum length that their water pool allows them. unlike certain catfish

 

[Arthur]

mmm but alot of fish will only reach their maximum length that their water pool allows them. unlike certain catfish

That's a large misconception, the only reason a fish would not grow to it's full potential in a smaller tank would be due to poor water conditions.

 

[Spankbelly]

That's a large misconception, the only reason a fish would not grow to it's full potential in a smaller tank would be due to poor water conditions.

Poor water like no water? When a 10 foot shark busts a 5 foot tank?
Or something less extreme. I know what you are saying, about maintaining good water quality. But there are physical limitations with space.
That being said, my neighbor lady has a gold fish in a 10 gal that nearly fills the whole tank. She just drops food to it's head. It is alive. But does not seem happy about the situation.

 

[Arthur]

honestly, you don't get the point. sure it doesn't have room to grow, but the water would be terrible unless she changed the water daily. Shibby water stunts growth, not the tank.

 

[twhittle]

My oscar was raised in a 55 gallon for 3-4 years and was very happy with no problems. He reached 14 inches in the tank and had no trouble turning. I have never understood that argument as I have never seen them stiffen up and have trouble turning. The tank had massive filtration and water changes every 4-5 days. He is now in a 210 community. A 55 is the bare minimum I would recommend and only cruel if you don't keep up with the maintenance. Do keep in mind if you are not on top of everything, a full grown oscar in a 55 will be a disaster. Fonzi however is evidence that if done right, a beautiful happy oscar can be the result.

 

[bluegryffin]

I think the consensus is that water quality is the issue then, right? A friend of mine overstocks his tanks ( IMO ) but he's super-diligent about water changes and filtration.

 

[jgallagher1980]

i agree, but still should be kept in a tank thats comfortable for them, my 2 will be moving from a 75 to a 125 shortly, as soon as i get a stand to hold the tank. people will do what they want and what they can afford, doesnt matter what is "right", and i know if they cant afford to keep a fish in an appropiate size tank, then they should keep that type of fish, but it happens unfortunatley,

I think the consensus is that water quality is the issue then, right? A friend of mine overstocks his tanks ( IMO ) but he's super-diligent about water changes and filtration.

 

[Toby_H]

That's a large misconception, the only reason a fish would not grow to it's full potential in a smaller tank would be due to poor water conditions.

So are you suggesting if I had a 10 gal tank... with a 200 gal sump... with one Oscar in the 10 gal tank... and no fish with and lots of plants in the sump...

The Oscar would not be stunted?

Of course this is an extreme example, but I have smaller tanks as part of a larger system... small tanks with fresh clean water can and will stunt the growth of a Cichlid... I've seen it happen...