Straight answer on Oscar tank size

[BrtnBoy449]

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.

ya really!

mines already 9+inches and hes not 2 years old yet!

 

[Burtess]

Out of curiosity, wouldn't an oscar do better in say a 40g breeder than a 55g long?

When I was a kid (and didn't know better) I had 2 red oscars in a 50GAL which is the same base dimensions as the 40GAL breeder but taller, 36X18X19.
They grew quickly to 13-14" TL. Ended dying of HITH. At the time I didn't know any better to do more than 25% water change per month and filtration was a single AC200!

I hate the footprint of the 55gal, like the 50gal much better. One oscar would probably do just fine in a 50gal with proper water changes and filtration.

I don't have an O presently but have other large cichlids (rose queen, RD/Midas, etc.) and would never personally go below a 75gal again. I think the 75gal provides a perfect balance of sufficient base dimensions, water volume, and turning space that a 12-14" fish needs.

Burt

 

[laura65536]

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 agree, ofish is the overstocking police of fish forums, and if they say 55, then 55 it is. Bigger is always better, as you stated, but 55 is the minimum, with no tank mates.

 

[Oscarboyz]

i say 75 cause even though my oscar is in a bigger tank he is a hefty 15" they need alot of swimming space. Go with at least a 75 gallon imo

 

[Excile]

I have a 75 but I got my oscars really small I wanted to get them as small as I could.