Why is my oscar not growing..

[DMD123]

I began fish keeping in the 80’s and what I saw in Oscars back then in sheer size compared to now are totally different. Seems like our current farm raised aquarium Oscar really is bred to hit a 12” + or - an inch adult size. I know they are capable of more but really haven’t seen it in recent years. I had one rare exception of a Petsmart tiger that grew to 11 1/2” in 6 months in my 210 gallon at the time. A sibling raised out at the same time with it only got half the size. If I would have kept the fast growing oscar I think it would have had the potential of maybe 14” but I rehomed before I could find out.

Out of curiosity where were your Oscars purchased from? If you really want a beast of an oscar you may need to bypass the typical big box store fish and order a nice F1 or WC from TUIC.

 

[FINWIN]

I began fish keeping in the 80’s and what I saw in Oscars back then in sheer size compared to now are totally different. Seems like our current farm raised aquarium Oscar really is bred to hit a 12” + or - an inch adult size. I know they are capable of more but really haven’t seen it in recent years. I had one rare exception of a Petsmart tiger that grew to 11 1/2” in 6 months in my 210 gallon at the time. A sibling raised out at the same time with it only got half the size. If I would have kept the fast growing oscar I think it would have had the potential of maybe 14” but I rehomed before I could find out.

Out of curiosity where were your Oscars purchased from? If you really want a beast of an oscar you may need to bypass the typical big box store fish and order a nice F1 or WC from TUIC.

Probably too because too many people crowd them in 55s or 75s from bad advice. Those are easier sized tanks to get (and cheaper!) and people convince themselves that's enough. You tube is a nightmare of fool fish keeping.

I don't think there's any magic to it. Hell, my very first Oscar is 2 years old and already pushing 14". He was 12" at one year and I can tell you my filters are seeing the difference now. Put him in a big tank, low stress and w/cs, lots of good food and a jungle environment. And bullies are actually stressed, too. I get great growth from my other cichlids too doing this. 76 degrees is a bit cool and will suppress appetite. I'd bump that to 80-81.

Then let genetics do the rest. Some will always be bigger than others.

 

[Tony A.]

Oscar's are scooling fish they like buddy's . They need the same care as PBass same water and temp. And large tanks .
They grow verry fast the first year then slow down in length. Then start to bulk up. But will grow all thier lives, max out at about 14in.
Most Os get 8-12 in. The first year.
IMO Oscars need lost more then 50 gals. 125 is only 15 or 18 in. Wide too small for Oscars.
And yes I have some of my Oscars in the 10 foot tank that's only 20in. wide,but they were in a 6ft x 2ft x30in while growing out and will go in the 8ft x4 ft x3ft when it comes on line. I hope soon. Super clean warm black water , the best foods and large tanks

1st pic at about 8 months old 8-9 in. Second pic male about 1 year old 12 in , then last summer with the Teminsis, last pick now about 1 month ago

 

[Tony A.]

And no they are not pink.lol just a sorry phone cam.

 

[duanes]

Did you even read my post? I change 75 percent of the water a week.... I do a 50 percent change on my day off then a 25 percent on a work day. Equaling 75 percent a week I know a 25 percent change a week isn't close to enough especially being stocked to the max.

Sorry, I did miss the 50% on the first scan off your post but.... the point is not so much whether is 25% a week, or 75% per week.
If the oscar isn't growing, it isn't enough of a water change, if the oscar is eating normally.
I also missed the 35 ppm nitrate, and that there are (?) other cichlids in the tank, which may indicate the need for even more water changes if more growth is desired.
Along with nitrate, being a general indicater of the health of the system, all cichlids give off hormones and pheromones that can be growth inhibiting to other cichlids. These substances are also only removed by water changes.
In nature most fish are in constant water change thru underground springs, the flow of rivers, and the surrounding forest vegetation sucking up nutrients like nitrate, and most natural nitrate levels are around 0 ppm, except in polluted waters.
This is why I try to do over 100% water changes in my tanks per week, and consider that my own water change schedule is wimpy compared to what actually occurs in nature.
I know people that do fin level water changes every other day in breeding facilities to get maximum growth.

 

[Covetous]

Everyone’s made solid posts and given good information. Really the only thing I have to add. Is it’s a baby still. I feel like people don’t realize how long a Healthy Oscar can live. For example, both of my Oscars are over 10 years old. One well over. Give him time, and good water conditions, and he’ll grow.

Both my oscars haven’t ever been measured. But I am certain their both over 12 inches.

 

[FINWIN]

Oscar's are scooling fish they like buddy's . They need the same care as PBass same water and temp. And large tanks .
They grow verry fast the first year then slow down in length. Then start to bulk up. But will grow all thier lives, max out at about 14in.
Most Os get 8-12 in. The first year.
IMO Oscars need lost more then 50 gals. 125 is only 15 or 18 in. Wide too small for Oscars.
And yes I have some of my Oscars in the 10 foot tank that's only 20in. wide,but they were in a 6ft x 2ft x30in while growing out and will go in the 8ft x4 ft x3ft when it comes on line. I hope soon. Super clean warm black water , the best foods and large tanks

1st pic at about 8 months old 8-9 in. Second pic male about 1 year old 12 in , then last summer with the Teminsis, last pick now about 1 month ago


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LOL I thought you had limited edition "Cotton Candy Pink" Oscars.

 

[joshua752]

Haha

Oscar's are scooling fish they like buddy's . They need the same care as PBass same water and temp. And large tanks .
They grow verry fast the first year then slow down in length. Then start to bulk up. But will grow all thier lives, max out at about 14in.
Most Os get 8-12 in. The first year.
IMO Oscars need lost more then 50 gals. 125 is only 15 or 18 in. Wide too small for Oscars.
And yes I have some of my Oscars in the 10 foot tank that's only 20in. wide,but they were in a 6ft x 2ft x30in while growing out and will go in the 8ft x4 ft x3ft when it comes on line. I hope soon. Super clean warm black water , the best foods and large tanks

1st pic at about 8 months old 8-9 in. Second pic male about 1 year old 12 in , then last summer with the Teminsis, last pick now about 1 month ago


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We can agree to disagree here a 125 is plenty big for 1 oscar..

 

[joshua752]

But anyways yes there are other cichlids a jack dempsey and a firemouth and a featherfin and you are correct it is still a baby. I do hope he keeps growing and reaches that 11 to 12 inch mark. I just was dissapointed in the last 1 getting only 8 to 9 inches after 3 years. Just finally want a monster oscar haha! But I will up the water changes feeding and temp a few degrees

 

[Rocksor]

Will do like i said that's the highest its ever been in 7 months after I went on a 10 day vacation its usually kept between 5 to 15 ppm! Im going to up the water changes and I can do that. I was feeding him peas because people had told me it helps keep their digestive tract clean essentially

no need to clean out with peas, freeze dried crickets or krill will do the same. If you really want “veggies”. Get New Life Spectrum Algaemax mini wafers size. It’s good for the other fish too