White Oscar fin tips?

[knifegill]

The 55g will last about 8 months. Unless you're really up for 50% water changes three times a week and underfeeding on a regular basis. Remember, your main goal (besides general care and a good diet) is to keep the nitrates below 10 all of the time. It's a game worth playing. Use plants if you have to. Many Oscars are fine with plants, and most don't bother them until maturity. Anyway, follow the nitrates. They will tell you what size tank you need.

 

[Sarah88]

yeah 55g will be ok but not for life, you have a fish there that has the potential to get over a foot long which doesnt work well with a tank that is only a foot wide, try to go for a 75g if you can and that would be good for life

 

[laurarichard]

nope it is nothing to worry about it happens with all oscars, it is not fin rot, i have 10 oscars and they all have it!

 

[ChilliPepper]

It's not fin rot, it's normal new growth. My O has a large margin on his tail and dorsal.

For life an O needs at least a 75g, and that's not with many tank mates. The best bet would be a 100g, then you can get some pals (wouldn't bother getting another O, but you could get a couple of Sevs or something).

 

[Freezekougra]

I think a 55g will be fine for an oscar, 1 fish tank. Some may argue that oscars can reach 14" or more(vs 12.5" turning width for a 55), but since the oscar was stunted I don't think it will get that big. Also keep in mind that the tail fin doesn't really count for body mass, plus a fish is not completely rigid(it bends it's body a bit when turning). Obviously the bigger the tank the better, but if you found a dirt cheap 55 I would just take it. 75s are way harder to find cheap because most chains only sell up to 55s, thus increasing the abundance of used 55s for sale.

Anyways, I had an oscar that was stunted too. Gave it away to someone a few months ago, hopefully he/she is doing well. One of the most important things in addition to tank size is water quality. I would get a water changing hose that connects from tank to sink, or just vinyl tubing from the hardware store so you can easily do 50% weekly water changes. I got 15' of vinyl tubing at a hardware store for $15. Recently upgraded to a 25' hose from home depot for $13', and they had 50' hoses for $10 but I figured I didn't need that much and it would just be bulky. Top that off with a nice diet and your oscar will do great.