Oscar Question

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I would not recommend 4 Oscars in a 120 gallon tank... Stick with the 2 and find some smaller cichlids to go in there...
 
I say go for it. The rule I have always heard for oscars is 50 gallons for one and then 25 extra for each one after that. By that rule you are only 5 gallons short but that shouldn't be a problem with some over filtering and water changes. What are your dimensions. If you don't have a whole lot of floor space it might be a problem.

Chad
 
I would say there would be a problem with any more fish than 4 Oscars.

Actually 4 Oscars would be pushing it, but its doable. Like the others said, if you have a lot of filtration and never skip water changes, maybe do more than one a week sometimes - wouldnt hurt.

The only other problem you might face is aggression. You would need 4 Oscars that get along. And it could take a couple tries before you find 4 that will. Who knows.

I say 4 would work, but you'll have to expect lots of filtration and water changes as they become fully grown (which doesnt take much more than 1 year, usually less)
 
A quick update on the speed that oscars can grow. One in my 55 went from 1&1/2 inches to 6 in just 4 months. then they slow up a bit. so come the end of the year yours will likely be 6~8 inches
 
4 oscars should be fine....however u MUST have good filtration!! a cannister filter and a couple of powerheads should do the job :)
 
ok i did it. i have 4 oscars in the tank now, and i have a combined total of about 1100gph in filtration. one canister, 2 bio and 2 powerhead w/ spounge filter plkugged reverse flow into a ugf. I got 2 tiger, 1 red, and 1 albino....so far they seem to be doing great together. although the 5 guppys i put in the tank didnt last more then about 1 minute...haha :- D. what really amuses me is the goldfish that is about 2 inches long, that is almost like the leader of the pack....instead of acting all goldfish spazzy, he swims all hardcore now like an oscar haha....and on the bottom of the tank...and where he goes, they go in a tight formation its so funny. Thanks for all your input guys. I appreciate. Any useful tips for the oscar raising?
 
Sounds like they're doing good! Oscars are really fun fish to have, especially as they grow and begin to recognize you! Just keep up w/ the water changes and get them onto pellets of some sorts (I recomend Hikari Gold pellets) and throw in occasional treats like worms, minnows, small crawdads, etc. Post some pics soon if you can!
 
alrighty i'll get some pics up soon enough. they are way young right now, and i just bought like 20 guppies and dropped them into my 29 tank to hopefully get them to breed.... I have a few various kinds of pellets, but most are pretty large (Even the small ones) so i'm feeding them guppies and flakes till they get bigger. So far I dropped 5 guppies in the tank and the oscars couldn't see them for a long time, but as soon as the largest oscar saw them, it was all over in about 30 seconds. I'd love to get any more tips from experianced (at least more then i!) owners or w/e. thx guys/gals.
 
I ket oscars for several years, and you will learn that each one has its own "personality," some will be more bold, some will be more shy, just watch the larger ones for signs of aggression. Dont get them too hooked on minnows or you'll have a tough time getting them onto pellets!
 
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