Oscars
- Thread starter Qtp443
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You're going to get 2 major replies to this and it's an on going debate. First are those who say the minimum is a 75 because it is the smallest tank that has an 18" front to back length. The others are going to say 125 gallon because a 4 foot tank (75 gallon) is not enough swim space for a 16" fish since it's basically a 1/3 of its body length, where as a 6 foot tank is much better.
As to which side you're on, you'll have to decide for your self. If you do a 75, other fish with the Oscar isn't a good option. From what I've heard (haven't had an O) aggression wish they can be hit or miss but more or less in line with jack dempseys and other "medium sized" aggressive cichlids.
As to which side you're on, you'll have to decide for your self. If you do a 75, other fish with the Oscar isn't a good option. From what I've heard (haven't had an O) aggression wish they can be hit or miss but more or less in line with jack dempseys and other "medium sized" aggressive cichlids.
75 Gal would be enough for me 
to keep and breed a pair 
just have good filtration and regular water changes.
to keep and breed a pair just have good filtration and regular water changes.
75 Gal would be enough for me
just have good filtration and regular water changes.
A 75 gl would be good enough for you, unfortunately it wouldn't be enough for 2 Oscars. It would be like you and your wife living in a closet.
I'm off the opinion that bigger is always better but if a 75 gl is all you can get then with heavy filtration and multiple weekly water changes an Oscar will work. They are a big messy fish and don't handle nitrates very well. Shoot for under 20 ppm with the Nitrates and they usually do well.
No tank mates in with the Oscar in a 75gl tank, it's hard enough to keep the nitrates low without other fish adding to the load.
75G would be minimum for a single Oscar. Mind you, you're going to perform large (50% +) weekly water changes to control nitrates. The problem with Oscars is that they expel a ton of debris from their gills, as where many other large Cichlids swallow pellets whole. I've even noticed this after trying to use smaller pellets. Bottom line is that they're great fish, but they don't call them water pigs for nothing.
On a side note, in regards to water quality and debris; I've found that throwing in snails of various type and sizes, helps to break down crap and waste, my oscar doesnt even bat an eyelid at snails even if they are large columbian ramshorns
Yep, totally agree with all the above. I'm overboard a bit with an oscar and a green severum in my 75g. I keep nitrates no higher than 20ppm between my weekly fin-level water change, but you have to feed wisely. These two fish were put in together as tiny, cute little babies. They're like two footballs in there now. Porterhouse and T-bone. I run an AC110 and a Marineland C-360 on this tank. Minimal decor.
75g OK for one Oscar and nothing else. get a 4ft tall, 95g. and add a pleco to keep the glass and wood polished. add another Oscar? 125g min and remove the pleco. min. 145 or better 180 tall keep the pleco, you want to have your tank under stocked a little better than over stocked. Water changes once a week fin level long as you have the bio filtration to handle the ammonia and you feed correctly.
Oscar aggression can be an issue, larger foot print can help to some extent but that being said it is still a hit and miss deal. my 2 Oscars in the 180 are doing great, but the smaller one did nothing but harass my albino. he has been moved to his own 95g.
Oscar aggression can be an issue, larger foot print can help to some extent but that being said it is still a hit and miss deal. my 2 Oscars in the 180 are doing great, but the smaller one did nothing but harass my albino. he has been moved to his own 95g.