I had them in a 125 tank for about 3 months. One of them I honestly thought was going to die. I had no other fish in the aqaurium with them. My Ph in that tank hung at about 7 and the ammonia level was at 0. The tank sat for three weeks with 20 Zebra Danios to cycle it. I removed them and added my Oscars mainly because so many people said the 55 was not good for 2. When the one Oscar became more lethargic I placed him back in the 55 gallon where after a week or so he got better. I added the second one and I'm not kidding the 2 of them quickly came together, like life was back to normal. As strange as it sounds that is why they are in there even if it sounds ridiculous.
Oscar and other American Cichlid experiences for the curious.
- Thread starter jhansen54
- Start date
Also I do not have other fish in the tank. The Oscars are the only ones in the 55 gallon. With my wordy novel you might of missed what else I talked about. I have other fish in a larger aquarium. Just caught the other comments you made comparing me to a Meth head and a drunk driver. I have to say I have not stopped laughing since I read just a moment ago. None the less it was very clever and you sure made your point about how you feel with my 2 Oscars in the 55 gallon tank. If you really want to feel some anger go to "youtube" and look up the Piranha's that torture a helpless green terror. The guy responsible for this should be banned for owning fish. I think he was probably the meth head you were referring too. Believe me it is disturbing. What would this guy do to another person? If you watch it or have seen it I think you would agree with me that there are some things that need be done with this idiot.
Hey, jhansen54. Welcome aboard. Looks like you'll do fine here. Whether or not I think two Oscars should live in a 55g, it is always interesting to read about the experience. At least you take the criticism well.
I could add that you discovered an Oscar truth the hard way. They hate change. Once they grow up in a location, they always want that location for themselves. You two Oscars probably felt very out of place in their new home and the stress got to them. I do suspect, however, that had you raised them in a larger tank to start with they'd have been just as eager to return to it as they were their 55g. Happy fishkeeping.
You got pictures of your Oscars? Here's mine:
He's in a 125g and about 12"/13" in his first year. Messy guy, too. Likes to splash water out of the tank for attention (food) sometimes.
I could add that you discovered an Oscar truth the hard way. They hate change. Once they grow up in a location, they always want that location for themselves. You two Oscars probably felt very out of place in their new home and the stress got to them. I do suspect, however, that had you raised them in a larger tank to start with they'd have been just as eager to return to it as they were their 55g. Happy fishkeeping.
You got pictures of your Oscars? Here's mine:
He's in a 125g and about 12"/13" in his first year. Messy guy, too. Likes to splash water out of the tank for attention (food) sometimes.
Okay, let me make a clarification. The point of sharing that I have 2 beautiful Oscars in a 55 gallon tank, was not to advise people to do it. It was to let people know that things can work even if they are not the norm.
The advice I did give....if you are going to put 2 Oscars in a 55 gallon tank start out small and be prepared to remove one as they grow and become more aggressive and territorial. Also as others have pointed out, the size they get is a factor.
But if it works like it has for me do not worry about it when somebody states it can't and should never be done. There are so many insults that are given to people that share their experiences when they make a mistake, ask for advice, or do something that would seem ridiculous to those who think they are the "experts".
We all love fish and experts provide guidlines to follow but it is not always set in stone. 1) not all people have the means, 2) not all people have the understanding of the commitment and what it takes to care for fish. It worked for me in this particular tank and these particular Oscars. And it can be okay as far as I'm concerned, if it works. Common sense is knowing when it does not work and trying not to force it to work when it will not. This forum should be used to educate and not to denigrate.
The advice I did give....if you are going to put 2 Oscars in a 55 gallon tank start out small and be prepared to remove one as they grow and become more aggressive and territorial. Also as others have pointed out, the size they get is a factor.
But if it works like it has for me do not worry about it when somebody states it can't and should never be done. There are so many insults that are given to people that share their experiences when they make a mistake, ask for advice, or do something that would seem ridiculous to those who think they are the "experts".
We all love fish and experts provide guidlines to follow but it is not always set in stone. 1) not all people have the means, 2) not all people have the understanding of the commitment and what it takes to care for fish. It worked for me in this particular tank and these particular Oscars. And it can be okay as far as I'm concerned, if it works. Common sense is knowing when it does not work and trying not to force it to work when it will not. This forum should be used to educate and not to denigrate.
Thanks for your comments. You are right about my Oscars living in one place. 8 years ago a 55 gallon tank was all I could manage in my second floor apartment. When I bought my home I tried to put them into a 125 and it did not work. I almost lost them, but when they went back in the 55 they came right back. I was facinated by these fish. The 55 was all I had and it worked, but I paid a lot of attention to them. My wife thought and still thinks I would take them over her, LOL! They do not respond to my wife when she comes to the tank, often they swim to the bottom. I think she does not like them although she claims she does, LOL! When I watch TV they both go to the side of the aquarium facing the TV and I sware they are watching it with me. The one that had almost died enjoys being petted on either side of his body and he will rest in my hand when I hold in the tank. At times they both seem to compete for my attention, so being the good person I am, I put both hands in and I end up with one in each. They are extremely entertaining.
jhansen54;4051228; said:
Im glad it has work and you are the exception to the rule. But my 6 cichlids look really happy in my 30 gallon-does not necessarily mean I should keep them there. Cichlids are very adaptable but a bigger tank would be better for you (as far as how often you would have to clean your tank) and your Oscars-fish need time to adjust to their new surroundings. I often frown at these threads because the wrong person will read it and think this is the norm-then try the samething.
nice read, i currently own a baby tiger oscar, hes in a 30 gallon tank at the moment but will soon be moved to a 900 litre aquarium, he shares the aquarium with 2 blue gourami and a golden gourami, they get along great with eachother, i know that this will not last for long as the oscar will get big and devour them, but for now they are fine, and there has been no problems
