oscars and live plants

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My Oscars are 11" and are only 14 months old. If they are a year the should be at least 10 inches. Oscar grow fast if given the space and proper care.

Oscars and Live Plants: Oscars like most cichlids dig. They often dig up and through this process destroy plants yes, but it also depends on the personality of the Oscar. I have live plants only one have died. It was "in the way" of the Oscars as they dug out a piece of slate for breeding.

Oscars have been known to destroy heaters and decorations. The also move decor and set the tank the way they want it to look.
 
10 years ago I had bought an albino and tiger oscar. They were both 1.75 inches in length at the time of purchase. Do to their waste, I had heavy water changes of 2 to 3 times a week. They each had a 55 gal. when they became 4 " long to maximize growth. They were fed twice daily, before I ate breakfast and before I ate supper everyday for 14 months. Water params were constantly monitored to be always in pristeen condition. I ran 2 Marineland 440 biowheels and 2 Marineland 1140 Powerheads to keep the tank almost spotless. I vaccummed regularly every day to keep the waste under control and the substrate spotless. Within the 14 months they were in my care they both grew to over 16 inches. I also had 2 banjo cats, one in each tank, also purchased at the same time as my O's and roughly at 2" long. Within the next 11 to 12 months they shared the 55 gal. tanks, they too grew to an enormous size of just under 20" long apiece.
By the time my O's were 4" long I had only had them like 2 to 3 months.
And most certainly, they did not like the way i had their tanks decorated. I planted live plants too, planted in pots. They destroyed all the live plants, moved all the rocks and wood that was in their tank. And set it up the way they wanted it. I finally gave up on all plants, both live and artificial and just siliconed a piece of wood and two rocks about the size of a softball in the bottom of the tanks, let them dry, replaced the sand, added fresh declorinated water, turned pumps and pwr.heads back on, transferred my fish and then everyone was happier. Had no further problems with my O's moving wood or rocks.

Is it me or am I NOT seeing any type of filtration device on the photo of ChevyIke's (the OP's) aquarium? It may be one reason his fish are so small. Water params might be a bit off? Plants may provide enough oxygen for them, but not sure. Other opinions of my observations/comments?
 
Having plants with oscars is like having balls of yarn with kittens... Get the picture??
 
Hey ChevyIke, you just joined and I appologise for not doing this earlier, but WELCOME TO MFK.
 
convicts94;4690542; said:
that doesn't even look like 150. look at the length and he says it's 4 inches think about how many u can fit in that length. that's like a 29gllon or something
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Theres definately something screwy with that picture - the plant in the far right would be pushin' 2' in height, which isn't impossible, if the light is T5 Halogen which the white cover would suggest. The small cans of flake food, which answers the "what are you feeding them", would suggest the tank is about 3' tall and the dual lids would suggest a tank at least 4' in length. Filtration would appear to be 2 clear tubes and airstones which would greatly explain the substandard grow. Pictures can be very tricky I might be way off - perhaps they sell flake food in 2" containers and make dial lid covers for 30 gal. tanks.
 
Otherone;4691026; said:
the dual lids would suggest a tank at least 4' in length.
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i have a 30 gallon with dual lids and its only 36" (3') across. so i dont think thats a good way to judge the tank length.

its not a very clear pic so it is hard to tell anything. But i do agree that chances are the plants will sooner or later becaome uprooted.

i do think the Oscars look very small for 1 years old
 
they might be 6" i didnt get my tape out. i took that after i got them by the way, i feed them those gold pellets once a day and i try 2 change a quarter of the water every week
i work on trucks not fish u guys are rough lol
 
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