Straight answer on Oscar tank size

[cichlid_25]

I've heard fish stories about 36" Oscars.

Thats hilarious!

 

[Cross127]

300 gallons BARE MINIMUM!!!!! No more reasonably 55 gallon being crap a 75 is a good choice and 90 gallons very good home and of course 125 excellent home.

 

[skiptomyzoo]

like everyone said, 75 min, mines in a 90 and seems to really enjoy himself.

 

[StripeGirl]

I saw this summer that a guy caught a 20 inch oscar while fishing in the canals in Florida.

 

[barracudauk]

I agree with the 100+. Ive spotted a 9" one that I would like to put in my 155. Has anyone got experience of keeping Oscars with Angels (adult). There is also a red wolf fish in there which gets along fine with the angels.

 

[twhittle]

Maybe 15" is an exception because they're usually in low quality water?

In 23 years of keeping oscars (had at least 15) and never letting my nitrates go above 20 ppm, and always having them in a 55 gallon or larger (usually a 125), I have never I repeat never had a 15 inch Oscar. My largest is 14 inches, and he was raised in a 55 gallon then switched to a 125. Usually they max out at about 12-13 inches. My current Oscar is 12 inches and has been in a 125 gallon. He is over 4 years old. I never thought I would see the day when the folks at Oscarfish.com were not as strict on stocking as the people at MFK. I still say in answer to the original question...55 Gallons can provide a quality life for 15+ years to an oscar if water quality is maintained. Mine have really enjoyed themselves in a solo 55.

 

[fishfobia]

i got a buddy who put his 15in in a 30 gal wow

 

[Bderick67]

75 gallon would be a good choice for a single O. I was remembering back when I was a kid, my first 55g with 2-12 O's and a couple of 8" jack dempseys.

i got a buddy who put his 15in in a 30 gal wow

Is this the same friend with the 36" arowana?

 

[rallysman]

In 23 years of keeping oscars (had at least 15) and never letting my nitrates go above 20 ppm, and always having them in a 55 gallon or larger (usually a 125), I have never I repeat never had a 15 inch Oscar. My largest is 14 inches, and he was raised in a 55 gallon then switched to a 125. Usually they max out at about 12-13 inches. My current Oscar is 12 inches and has been in a 125 gallon. He is over 4 years old. I never thought I would see the day when the folks at Oscarfish.com were not as strict on stocking as the people at MFK. I still say in answer to the original question...55 Gallons can provide a quality life for 15+ years to an oscar if water quality is maintained. Mine have really enjoyed themselves in a solo 55.

That's strange. I've only had 2 oscars and both broke 12". The first one was my first fish and was kept in terrible conditions for the first have of his life.

Live and learn I guess....... I was lucky lol.

 

[twhittle]

Trust me, I love my 14 inch Oscar. I wish I could get them all to be bigger. I think there are other factors such as temperature. I keep my tanks at 76-78 degrees. I have found that any higher than that increases aggression. I have heard that higher temps can make for bigger fish. Maybe that has something to do with it??? Or, perhaps I am just unlucky.